THE CORN IS GREEN
THE GOTO
IS GREEN
A COMEDY IN THREE ACTS BY
EMLYN WI LLI AMS
RANDOM HOUSE NEW YORK
Fruiting
CAUTION: Professionals and amateurs are hereby warned
that The Corn h Grccn f being fully protected under the
copyright laws of the United States of America, the British
Empire including the Dominion of Canada, and all other
countries of the copyright union, is subject to royalty.
All rights, including professional, amateur, motion picture,
recitation, lecturing, public reading, radio broadcasting,
and the rights of translation into foreign, languages, are
strictly reserved. Particular emphasis is laid on the ques-
tion of readings, permission for which must < he secured
from the author's agent in writing. All inquiries .should
be addressed to the author's agent, Harold Freedman,
10 1 Park Avenue, New York City.
Illustrations courtesy of VANDAMM STUDIO
COPYRIGHT, 1938, 1941, BY EMLYN WILLIAMS
MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
To
S. G. C.
AND, AT HER REQUEST,
TO ALL TEACHERS.
The Corn Is Green was first produced at the National
Theatre, New York City, on November 26, 1940, with the
following cast:
(In the order in which they
John Goronwy Jones RHYS WILLIAMS
yi Miss Ronberry MILDRED DUNNOCK
Idwal Morris CHARLES S. PURSELL
Sarah Pugh GWYNETH HUGHES
A Groom GEORGE BLEASDALE
/\ The Squire EDMOND BREON
X" Mrs. Watty ROSALIND IVAN
^-Bessie Watty THELMA SCHNEE
""'"-Miss Moffat ETHEL BARRYMORE
Robbart Robbatch THOMAS LYONS
jXs Morgan "Evans RICHARD WARING
Glyn Thomas KENNETH CLARKE
John Owen MERRITT O'DuEL
Will Hughes TERENCE MORGAN
Old Tom SAYRE CRAWLEY
Boys, Girls and Parents: Julia Knox, Amelia
Romano, Betty Conibear, Rosalind Carter, Harda
Normann, Joseph Mclnerney, Marcel Dill, G^yilym
Williams, Tommy Dix.
Produced and staged by HERMAN SHUMLIN
Setting designed by HOWARD BAY
Costumes designed by ERNEST SCHRAPPS
SCENES
ACT ONE
SCENE I An afternoon in June.
SCENE II A night in August, six weeks later.
ACT TWO
SCENE I An early evening in August, two years later.
SCENE II A morning in November, three months later.
ACT THREE
An afternoon in July, seven months later.
The action o the play takes place in the living room of
a house in Glansarno, a small village in a remote Welsh
countryside.
The time is the latter part of the last century, and covers a
period of three years.
ACT ONE
ACT ONE
SCENE I
The living room of a house in Glansarno, a small village
in a remote Welsh countryside. A sunny afternoon in June,
in the latter fart of the last century*
The house is old, and the ceiling slants away from the
audience. Facing the audience, on the left, narrow stairs lead
up to a landing and then on the left to a passage to the bed-
rooms; we can just see, facing, the door of one bedroom which
is later to be Miss Moffat's. A door leads to the 'kitchen; at the
foot of the stairs, an alcove and a door lead to a little room
which is later the study. In the bac\ wall, to the right, the
front door, with outside it a small stone porch faintly over-
grown with ivy f and opening to the left on to a path; in the
bad{ wall, to the left, a large bay window with a small sofa
seat. In the right wall, downstage, the garden door, and above
it a small side window; when the door is open we can just
see a trellised porch with a creeper. Through the thievish
curtains over the bay window we glimpse a jagged stone wall
and the sfy.
The floor is of stone flags, with one rug in front of the sofa.
Paded sprigged wallpaper.
The furniture is a curious jumble of old Welsh and Vic-
torian pieces. A large serviceable flat-topped desJ^ under the
side window, a dcsl{~chair in front of it; a table with a small
chair f near the middle of the room; an armchair, between the
dt*$l{ und the table; a sofa, downstage, between the table and
3
THE CORN IS GREEN
the foot of the stairs; in the bac\ wall, near the %itchen door,
an old Welsh dresser with plates and crockery; in the left
wall, against the staircase, a settle; in the window recess, a
small table. In the bac\ wall, to the right of the front door,
a small grandfathers cloc\. An oil lamp on the center table,
another on the des\. Another on the dresser.
The most distinctive feature of the room is the amount of
booths on the walls, of all sorts and sizes; some in open booJ{-
cases, others on newly built shelves, in practically every avail-
able space.
The fyitchen door is open; there are boo^s on the window
seat.
As the curtain rises, MR. JOHN GORONWY JONES and MISS
RONBERRY are arranging the last booths in their places; she is
sitting on a tiny stool taking booths out of a large packing
case and fitting them on to narrow shelves between the gar-
den door and the side window, flicking each one mcchani*
colly with a tiny lace handkerchief. She is a gentlewoman in
her thirties, with the sort of pinched prettincss that tends to
loo^ sharp before that age r especially when it maizes sporadic
attempts at coquetry; she wears a hat. He is a shabby Welsh-
man of forty f bespectacled, gloomy and intense; a volcano,
harmless even in full eruption, He is perched on top of a
stef ladder, arranging booths on a high shelf between the front
door and the bay window, dusting them vigorously before
putting them in place.
MR. JONES
(Singing)
". . . Pechudur wy, y dtia'n yw-~*O UiTemP yw fy itghri;
Gostwng cly glu$c ? a'am Ilefaln clyw . - . So so st
so so!"
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS RONBERRY
(Seated on stool)
Your voice has given me an agonizing headache. And if
you must indulge in music, will you please not do it in
Welsh?
MR. JONES
I wasn't indulgin' in music, I was singin' a hymn. (Putting
the last boo\ on the shelf and climbing down) And i a hymn
gives you a headache, there is nothing wrong with the hymn,
there is something wrong with your head.
MISS RONBERRY
I still don't see the necessity for it.
MR. JONES
(Picking up the empty packing case and moving
toward the fytcheri)
I sing to cheer myself up.
MISS RONBERRY
What do the words mean ?
MR. JONES
"The wicked shall burn in hell." (Exits into fytchen.}
(MISS RONBERRY fic^s tip packing case. IDWAL MORRIS
comes in from garden, stops at door.}
MISS RONBERRY
Ohl (IDWAL is a thin, ragged boy of thirteen, very timid}
Is the garden nice and ready?
5
THE CORN IS GREEN
IDWAL
'Sgwelwchi'n dda, d'wi'di torri'r bloda.
MISS RONBERRY
Translation! (Crosses with box to chair in arch of bay
window then to left of center table.)
(MR. JONES returns, carries two piles of booJ{s.)
I0WAL
Os gwelwchi'n dda, Mistar Jones, d'wi'di torri'r bloda, a
mae'r domen yn hogla'n ofnadwy.
(MISS RONBERRY goes to him and ta/{es flowers.)
MR. JONES
He says he cut the sweet peas and the rubbish heap is
smelling terrible.
MISS RONBERRY
Oh, dear. His father must put something on it. (Arranges
flowers in vase.)
MR. JONES
(Going up ladder)
That's the English all over. The devil is there, is he? Don't
take him away, put a bit of scent on him! Gofyn i dy dad i
roi rwbeth arno am heddyw,
10WAL
Diolch, syr. (He runs into the garden ttgttin.)
6
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS RONBERRY
I hope he will have the sense to give the message.
MR. JONES
(Still on ladder)
It is terrible, isn't it, the people on these green fields and
flowery hillsides bein' turned out of Heaven because they
cannot answer Saint Peter when he asks them who they are
in English? It is wicked, isn't it, the Welsh children not
bein' born knowing English isn't it? Good heavens, God
bless my soul, by Jove, this, that and the other!
MISS RONBERRY
Anybody in Wales will tell you that the people in this part
o the countryside are practically barbarians. (SARAH PUGH
comes out of the bedroom and down the stairs. She is a
buxom peasant woman, with a strong Welsh accent) Not a
single caller for fifteen miles, and even then . . .
SARAH
Please, Miss I made the bed lovely. And I dust . . .
MISS RONBERRY
That will be all, dear. The Colonel is bound to have his
own manservant.
SARAH
Then I better have another sit down in my post office.
MR. JONES
What is the matter with your post office?
7
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SARAH
It has (Opens door) not had a letter for seven weeks.
Nobody but me can write, and no good me writing because
nobody but me can read. If I get a telegram I put him in the
window and I die straight off. (She goes, closes door.)
MISS RONBERRY
You see? I can't thinly why a Colonel should elect to come
and live in this place. There. ... I have never seen so many
books! I do hope the curtains will not be too feminine. I
chose them with such care.
MR. JONES
(Darkly)
Why are you taking so much trouble getting somebody
else's house ready for them?
MISS RONBERRY
(Examines cushion)
You need not have helped me if you did not wish! (Crosses
to settle for needle and thread) I am frightened of the spin'
ning-wheel, too, and the china; his own furniture is so dis-
tinctive. The desk. And the wastepapcr basket. . . * So . ,
so virile.
MR. JONES
(On ladder)
Are you hoping that the Colonel will live up to his waste
paper basket?
MISS RON'BERRt
That is horrid.
THE CORN IS GREEN
MR. JONES
And then you will have two on a string: him and the
Squire . . .
MISS RONBERRY
Mr. Jones!
MR. JONES
And if I was a bit more of a masher, there would be three.
Worldly things, that is your trouble. "Please, Mistar Jones,
rny life is as empty as a rotten nutshell, so get me a husband
before it is too late, double quick!"
(A f^nocl^ at the front door; it opens and a liveried
GROOM appears.)
MISS RONBERRY
You insulting man . . .
GROOM
The Squire.
(The SQUIRE follows him. He is a handsome English
country gentleman in his forties, wearing knic\er-
hocl^ers and gaiters; a hard drinker f bluff, fyind, im-
mensely vain; and, when the time comes, obtusely
obstinate. The GROOM goes out again and shuts the
door.}
MISS RONBERRY
(Fluttering eagerly into a handshake)
Squire. . - ,
9
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THE SQUIRE
(With exuberant -patronage)
Delicious lady, delicious surprise, and a merry afternoon to
ye, as our forebears put it. ... How are you, Jones, making
the most of your half -day?
MR. JONES
(Sullenly, making an uncertain effort to rise from the
ladder)
Good afternoon, sir ...
THE SQUIRE
Squat, dear fellow, squat . . . No ceremony with me!
And why, dear lady, were you not at the Travers-Ellis wed-
ding?
(JONES starts down the ladder.)
MISS RONBERRY '
Naughty! I sat next to you at the breakfast*
THE SQUIRE
By Jingo! So you did!
MR. JONES
Excuse me ...
(He goes into study.)
THE SQUIRE
Deuced fine breakfast, . - .
10
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MISS RONBERRY
We had a talk about children.
THE SQUIRE
Did we? Well, the next wedding we're at, there'll be no
chance of my forgettin' you, eh?
MISS RONBERRY
Why?
THE SQUIRE
Because you'll be the stunning, blushing bride!
MISS RONBERRY
And who will be the ?
THE SQUIRE
Now that's what / want to know, because I'm going to give
you away!
MISS RONBERRY
Oh!
(MR. JONES returns from the study.)
THE SQUIRE
Now who's it going to be?
MISS RONBERRY
Squire, you are too impatient! I am taking my time!
THE SQUIRE
Too bad . . No sign of the new inhabitant?
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS RONBERRY
Any moment now, I think! The pony and trap met the
London train at a quarter to twelve!
THE SQUIRE
Hasn't the fellow got his own private conveyance?
MISS RONBERRY
I think not.
THE SQUIRE
I hope he's all right.
MISS RONBERRY
He wrote very civilly to Mr. Jones about the house . . .
THE SQUIRE
Oh, yes. Not a club, I remember, but the papernot bad
texture. Funny sort o chap, though, eh ?
MISS RONBERRY
Why?
THE SQUIRE
All these books.
(A timid l{nocl{ at the front door. IDWAL enters, very
frightened,)
IDWAL
Os gwclwchi'n (Ida, syr, mac Mistar Tomos wcdi 'ngyrrti i
yma ich gwckl chil
12
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THE SQUIRE
Y'know, it's as bad as being abroad. . . . Been among it
half my life, and never get used to it.
MR. JONES
The groom told him, sir, that you wanted to see him.
THE SQUIRE
Oh, yes well, come here where I can see you, eh? (SQUIRE
turns to him) Now, boy, how old are you (To JONES) or
whatever the Chinese is for it?
MR. JONES
Just turned thirteen, sir.
THE SQUIRE
Thirteen? Well, why aren't you working in the mine over
in the next valley? Don't like to see young fellows wasting
their time, y'know.
MR. JONES
He has got one lung funny.
THE SQUIRE
Oh, I see. . . . Rough luck. Here, laddy, there's a sixpence
for you, and remember all work and no play makes Taffy
a dull boy!
IDWAL
Diolch yn faw, syr . . .
THE SQUIRE
And tell your uncle I want Ranger shod . . .
THE CORN IS GREEN
IDWAL
Diolch, syr . . .
THE SQUIRE
And a gate mended . . .
IDWAL
Diolch yn faw, syr ... (He runs out.)
MISS RONBERRY
But he hasn't understood your orders!
THE SQUIRE
Neither he has . . .
MR. JONES
He thought the Squire was havin' a chat. I will tell his
uncle
IDWAL
(Offstage, calling shrilly to his friends)
Tomos Aneurin clyma'r cerbycl (JONES loo/{s out win-
dow) dewch i wePd fe ddwe-dai with y Seweiar bry-
siwchl
MISS RONBERRY
(Rises)
That must be something .
(IDWAL appears at the front door,, panting with expec-
tation.)
IDWAL
Pliss, syr, dymaV carbyd!
(He darts bact^ leaving the door open,)
14
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS RONBERRY
(JLoo\s out window)
He must mean the Colonel. How gratifying . . .
(BESSIE WATTY wanders shyly in. She is an extremely
pretty, flump little girl of "fourteen; it is a moment
before one realizes that her demureness is too good
to be true. She wears her hair over her shoulders f is
dressed very plainly, in a shabby sailor suit and hat,
and carries brown-paper parcels. She is followed by
MRS. WATTY, a middle-aged Cockney servant, dressed
for traveling, carrying a hamper in her arms. Her
self-confidence is not so overwhelming as the Squire's,
but it is quite as complete, and as J^indly.}
THE SQUIRE
Capital . , .
MRS. WATTY
(To the SQUIRE)
D'you speak English?
THE SQUIRE
(TaJ^en abacJ{)
I do.
MRS. WATTY
Be a clear an' 'old this!
(She hands him the hamper and hurries out through
the front door.}
THE SQUIRE
Crikey! A Colonel with an abigail! (Catching BESSIE'S owl-
15
THE CORN IS GREEN
li\e expression and stopping short) Why don't you say some-
thing?
BESSIE
I never speak till I'm spoken to.
THE SQUIRE
Oh ... Well, who was that?
BESSIE
My mummy. (To MISS RQNBERRY) I never had no daddy.
(Her accent is not as natural as her mother's; she sometimes
strains to be ladylike f especially at moments lil^e this. MRS.
WATTY returns with two large parcels.)
MRS. WATTY
My Gawd (Pause) they're heavy. (Puts them on table)
MISS RONBERRY
What are they?
MRS. WATTY
Books.
(Tal(es hamper from SQUIRE.)
THE SQUIRE
Is your employer with you, my good woman?
MRS. WATTY
No, followed bc'ind, most of the way. Ought to he Vre by
now, Fll 'avc a see* . . . (Goes to door) lire we arc! Tally-o!
Thought we'd lost you!
16
THE CORN IS GREEN
(A pause. MISS MOFFAT comes in from the road, wheel-
ing a bicycle. She is about forty, a healthy English-
woman with an honest face, clear, beautiful eyes, a
humorous mouth, a direct friendly manner, and un-
bounded vitality, which is prevented from tiring the
spectator by its capacity for sudden silences and for
listening. Her most prominent characteristic is her
complete unsentimentality * She we,ars a straw hat,
collar and tie, and a dar\ unexaggerated styrt; a
satchel hangs from her shoulder.)
MISS MOFFAT
I was hoping to pass you, but that last hill was too much
for me. (Displaying the bicycle) Good afternoon.
ALL
Good afternoon.
MISS MOFFAT
There's a smallish crowd already, so I thought I'd better
bring Priscilla inside. Watty, can you find somewhere for
her? (She gives the room a quicJ{ appraising loo\, peers out
of the side window, and nods pleasantly to the SQUIRE.)
MRS. WATTY
Dunno, I'm sure.
MISS MOFFAT
I think I'll have a look at the garden first* (She goes out
out into the garden.)
MRS. WATTY
(Wheeling bicycle gingerly toward the \itcheri)
That must be my kitchen in there, well 'ave to 'ang 'er
17
THE CORN IS GREEN
with the bacon. (To BESSIE) Come on, girl, give us a 'and
don't stand there gcttin' into mischief!
BESSIE
I'm frightened of it.
MRS. WATTY '
It won't bite you! Most it can do is catch fire, and I'll 'ave
a drop o' water ready for it. (Her voice fades away into the
BESSIE
Has anybody got a sweetie?
MISS RQNBERRY
No.
BESSIE
Oh ____
(She trails after her mother into the lytchen. MISS
MOFFAT returns very businesslike.)
MISS MOFFAT
It's bigger than I expected. . . . (Closes floor) There!
(Puts satchel on des/{) Good afternoon! So this is my
house. . . .
THE SQUIRE
(Mustering)
No, it isn't!
MISS MOFFAT
Oh? Isn't this Pcngarth? The name of the building, I
mean ?
18
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS RONBERRY
Yes, it is. ...
MISS MOFFAT
That's right, it was left me by my uncle, Dr. Moffat. I'm
Miss Moffat. I take it you're Miss Ronberry, who so kindly
corresponded with me?
THE SQUIRE
But sure those letters were written by a man?
MISS MOFFAT
Well, if they were, I have been grossly deceiving myself
for over forty years. Now this is jolly interesting. Why did it
never occur to you that I might be a woman?
THE SQUIRE
Well the paper wasn't scented . . .
MISS RONBERRY
And such a bold hand . . .
THE SQUIRE
And that long piece about the lease being ninety-nine years,
don't you know . . .
MISS MOFFAT
Was there anything wrong with it?
THE SQUIRE
No, there wasn't, that's the point,
19
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS MOFFAT
I see.
MISS RONBERRY
And surely you signed your name very oddly?
MISS MOFFAT
My initials, L. C. Moffat? You see, I've never felt that
Lily Christabel really suited me.
MISS RONBERRY
And I thought it meant Lieutenant-Colonel! But there
was a military title after it.
MISS MOFFAT
M.A., Master of Arts.
THE SQUIRE
Arts? D'ye mean the degree my father bought me when I
came down from the Varsity?
MISS MOFFAT
The very same. Except that: I was at Aberdeen, and had to
work jolly hard for mine.
TOE SQUIRE
A female M.A.? And how long's that going to last?
Quite a long time, 1 hope, considering we've been waiting
for it for two thousand years.
20
THE CORN IS GREEN
MR. JONES
(Who has been silent since she entered}
Are you saved?
MISS MOFFAT
(Starting, turning and taking him in for the first time)
I beg your pardon?
MR. JONES
Are you Church or Chapel?
MISS MOFFAT
I really don't know . . . And now you know all about me,
what do you do?
THE SQUIRE
I'm afraid I don't do anything. (He extricates his hat
angrily from the table.)
MISS RONBERRY
Mr. Treverby owns the Hall!
MISS MOFFAT
Really. I've never had much to do with the landed gentry.
Interesting.
THE SQUIRE
An rcvoir, dear lady. 'Day, Jones. (He goes frigidly out by
the front door. JONES closes door}
MISS MOFFAT
Well, nobody could say that I've made a conquest there.
. . . What's the matter with him?
(MRS. WATTY comes in from kitchen with tea tray.)
21
THE CORN IS GREEN
MRS. WATTY
I found the tea, ma'am, it loof^s all right. . . .
MISS MOFFAT
Good!
MRS. WATTY
An' the big luggage is comin' after , . .
MISS MOFFAT
(At study door)
This isn't a bad little room . . .
MRS. WATTY
Where's his lordship?
MISS MOFFAT
(Going upstairs')
Took offense and left. (She disappears down the passage.)
MRS. WATTY
(Loof{s at them both)
Took offense? At 'cr?
MISS RONBERRY
I am afraid so.
MRS, WATTY
I'm jiggered 1 What: cFyo// think of 'er, eh? Ain't she a
clinker?
MISS RONBERRY
She is unusual, is she not?
22
THE CORN IS GREEN
MRS. WATTY
She's a clinker, that's what. Terrible strong-willed, o' course,
terrible. Get 'er into mischief, I keep tellin' 'er. Would bring
me 'ere. I said no, I said, not with my past, I said,
MISS RONBERRY
Your past?
MRS. WATTY
Before she took me up. But what with 'er, and now I've
joined the Corpse, it's all blotted out.
MR. JONES
The Corpse?
MRS. WATTY
The Militant Righteous Corpse. Ran into 'em in the street
I did, singin' and prayin' and collectin', full blast; and I been
a different woman since. Are you saved?
MR. JONES
Yes, I am.
MRS. WATTY
So'm I. Ain't it lovely?
MISS RONBERRY
But what was your past?
MRS. WATTY
(Sorrowfully)
Light fingers.
MISS RONBERRY
Light fingers? You mean stealing?
THE CORN IS GREEN
MRS. WATTY
Everywhere I went. Terrible. Pennies, stocking brooches,
spoons, tiddly, anything. Every time there was a do, every-
thing went; and I always knew it was me! (MISS MGFFAT
comes downstairs} I was just tellin' 'em about my trouble.
MISS MOFFAT
Well, don't tell them any more. Is your kitchen all right?
MRS. WATTY
I ain't seed no mice yet. (She goes into "kitchen, takes
hamper with her.}
(Far away, softly, the sound of boys' voices, singing an
old country song, in harmony, in Welsh: "Yr Hufcn
Mclyn.")
MISS MOFFAT
I agree with the last tenant's taste. . . . You have arranged
my things quite splendidly. Miss Ronbcrry. I do thank you
both of you. ... I like this house (As the music grows *'/-
perceptibly in the distance) . . What's that singing?
MR. JONKS
Boys coming home from the mine,
MISS KONBERRY
They burst into song on the slightest provocation* You
mustn't take any notice . . .
MISS MOFFAT
1 like it ... And those mountains. That grand wild coun*
24
THE CORN IS GREEN
tryside . . . The foreign-looking people . . . But business . . .
I've heard about that mine. How far is it?
MR. JONES
It is the Glasynglo coal mine, six miles over the hills,
MISS MOFFAT
Hm . . .
MISS RONBERRY
We're hoping it will stay the only one, or our scenery will
be ruined such a pretty landscape . . .
MISS MOFFAT
What is the large empty building next door?
MR. JONES
Next door? The old barn belongin' to the Gwalia Farm,
before the farm was burnt down. . . .
(Song fades out.)
MISS MOFFAT
So it's free?
MR. JONES
(Perplexed)
Free? Yes ...
MISS RONBERRY
(Rises)
I am overstaying my welcome. So very charming . . .
25
THE CORN IS GREEN
MR. JONES
I also. All the volumes are dusted. . . .
(Starts to go toward her.)
MISS MOFFAT
I want you two people. Very specially. First you. Miss Ron-
berry. I used to meet friends of yours at lectures in London.
You live alone, you have just enough money, you're not badly
educated, and time lies heavy on your hands.
MISS RONBERRY
The Wingroves! How mean! I should never have
thought , . .
MISS MOFFAT
Isn't that so?
MISS RONBERRY
Not at all. When the right gentleman appears , , ,
MISS MOFFAT
If you're a spinster well on In her thirties, he's lost his
way and isn't coming. Why don't you face the fact and enjoy
yourself, the same as I do?
MISS RONBERRY
But when clicl you give up hope? Oh, what a horrid ex-
pression. . * .
MISS MOFFAT
I can't recall ever having any hope. Visitors used to take a
long look at my figure and say: "Shtfs going to be the clever
one,"
26
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS RONBERRY
But a woman's only future is to marry and and fulfill the
duties of ...
MISS MOFFAT
Skittles! I'd have made a shocking wife, anyway.
MISS RONBERRY
But haven't you ever been in love?
MISS MOFFAT
No.
MISS RONBERRY
How very odd.
MISS MOFFAT
I've never talked to a man for more than five minutes
without wanting to box his ears.
MISS RONBERRY
But how have you passed your time since . . . ?
MISS MOFFAT
Since I had no hope? Very busily. In the East End, for
years.
MISS RONBERRY
Social service?
MISS MOFFAT
If you like; though there's nothing very social about wash-
ing invalids with every unmentionable ailment under the
sun. , . . I've read a lot, too. I'm afraid I'm what is known
as an educated woman. Which brings me to Mr. Jones; the
Wingroves told me all about you, too.
27
THE CORN IS GREEN
MR. JONES
My conscience is as clear as the snow.
MISS MOFFAT
I'm sure it is, but you're a disappointed man, aren't you?
MR. JONES
(Startled)
How can I be disappointed when I am saved?
MISS MOFFAT
Oh, but you can! You can't really enjoy sitting all by your-
self on a raft, on a sea, containing everybody you know.
You're disappointed because you're between two stools,
MR. JONES
Between two stools ? On a raft ?
MISS MOFFAT
Exactly. Your father was a grocer with just enough money
to send you to a grammar school, with the result that you
arc educated beyond your sphere, and yd; fail to quality for
the upper classes. You feel frustrated, and fall back on being
saved. Am I right?
MR. JONES
It is such a terrible thing you have said that I will have to
think it over,
MISS MOFFAT
Do. (Rises) But in the meantime (P^jr^) would you
two like to stop moping and be very useful to me?
28
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS RONBERRY
Useful?
MISS MOFFAT
Yes, tell me within a radius of five miles, how many fam-
ilies are there round here?
MISS RONBERRY
Families? There's the Squire, of course, and Mrs. Gwent-
Price in the little Plas Lodge, quite a dear thing . . .
MISS MOFFAT
I mean ordinary people.
MISS RONBERRY
The villagers?
MISS MOFFAT
Yes. How many families ?
MISS RONBERRY
I really haven't the faint . . .
MR. JONES
There are about twenty families in the village and fifteen
in the farms around.
MISS MOFFAT
Many children?
MR. JONES
What age?
29
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS MOFFAT
Up to sixteen or seventeen.
MR. JONES
Round here they are only children till they are twelve.
Then they are sent away over the hills to the mine, and in
one week they are old men.
MISS MOFFAT
I see. How many can read or write ?
MR. JONES
Next to none.
MISS RONBERRY
Why do you ask?
MISS MOFFAT
Because I am going to start a school for them.
MISS RONBERRY
(Coldly)
Start a school for them? What for?
MISS MOFFAT
What for? See these books? Hundreds o *em and some-
thing wonderful to read in every single one. These nippers
are to be cut off from all that, for ever, arc they? Why? Be-
cause they happen to he born penniless in an uncivilized
countryside, coining gold clown there in that stinking dun-
geon for some beef-headed old miser!
THE CORN IS GREEN
MR. JONES
(Roused)
That's right. . . .
MISS MOFFAT
The printed page, what is it? One of the miracles o all
time, that's what! And yet when these poor babbies set eyes
on it, they might just as well have been struck by the miracle
of sudden blindness; and that, to my mind, is plain infamous!
MR. JONES
My goodness, Miss, that's right. . . .
MISS RONBERRY
The ordinary children, you mean?
MISS MOFFAT
Yes, my dear, the ordinary children that came into the
world by the same process exactly as you and I. When I heard
that this part of the world was a disgrace to a Christian coun-
try, I knew this house was a godsend. I am going to start a
school, immediately, next door in the barn, and you are going
to help me!
MISS RONBERRY
I?
MISS MOFFAT
Yes, you! You're going to fling away your parasol and
your kid gloves, and you're going to stain those tapering
fingers with a little honest toil!
3*
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS RONBERRY
I couldn't teach those children, I couldn't! They they
smell!
MISS MOFFAT
I we'd never been taught to wash, so would we; we'll put
'em under the pump. . . . Mr. Jones d'ye know what I'm
going to do with that obstinate old head of yours?
MR. JONES
My head?
MISS MOFFAT
I'm going to crack it open with a skewer. And I'm going
to excavate all those chunks of grammar-school knowledge.,
give 'em a quick dust, and put 'em to some use at last.
MR. JONES
I am a solicitor's clerk in Gwaenygam and I cam thirty-
three shillings per week. . . .
MISS MOFFAT
111 give you thirty-four and your lunch.
MISS RONBKRRY
I have an enormous house to run, and the flowers to do. . . .
MISS MOFFAT
Shut it up except one room, and leave the flowers to die a
natural death in their own beds, I've been left a little money
and I know exactly what I am going to do with it . . *
THE CORN IS GREEN
MR. JONES
But those children are in the mine earning money. How
can they . . . ?
MISS MOFFAT
I'll pay their parents the few miserable pennies they get out
of it ... And when I've finished with you, you won't have
time to think about snapping up a husband, and you won't
have time to be so pleased that you're saved! Well?
MR. JONES
I do not care if you are not chapel, I am with you.
MISS MOFFAT
Good! I have all the details worked out. I'll explain roughly.
. . . Come along my dears, gather round, children gather
round. (She ta\es the dazed MISS RONBERRY by the arm, seats
her beside her on the $oja> and bec\pns MR. JONES to sit on
her other side) Of course, we must go slowly at first, but if
we put our backs into it ... Here we are, three stolid
middle-aged folk, settled in our little groove and crammed
with benefits; and there are those babbies scarcely out of the
shell, that have no idea they are even breathing the air. . . .
Only God can know how their life will end, but He will
give us the chance to direct them a little of the way. . . .
MR. JONES
(Intoning, seized with religious fervor)
We have the blessed opportunity to raise up the children
from the bowels of the earth where the devil hath imprisoned
33
THE CORN IS GREEN
them in the powers of darkness, and bring them to the light
of knowledge
MRS. WATTY
(Coming in from the J^itchen)
Here's the tea!
MISS MOFFAT
Each of us can take several classes, not only for the children,
but their fathers and their mothers, and the older people too.
The curtain falls.
34
ACT ONE
SCENE II
A night in August, six wee\s later. The window curtains
arc closed and the lamps lit. The armchair has been pushed
away from table, and two small benches face the audience.
Red geraniums in pots across the window sills. Miss Moffat's
straw hat is slung over the \nob of the settle at the foot of
the stairs. The big des\ f the sofa and the settle are littered
with boo\s, exercise books and sheets of paper. Apart from
these details the room is unchanged.
Sitting on the bench are five blac\-faced miners f between
twelve and sixteen years of age f wearing caps f mufflers, boots
and corduroys embedded in coal; they looJ^ as if they had
been commanded to wait. They all loo\ ali\e under their
blacJ^; the ringleader is MORGAN EVANS, fifteen, quicT^ and im-
pudent; his second is ROBBART RQBBATCH, a big, slow boy, a year
or two older; the others are GLYN THOMAS, WILL HUGHES and
JOHN OWEN. They all hum at rise.
MRS. WATTY comes downstairs, carrying a basket of washing.
MRS. WATTY
You 'ere again? (On stairs, stops halfway down.)
ROBBART
Be mai'n ddeud?
MRS. WATTY
I said, you 'ere again?
35
THE CORN IS GREEN
MORGAN
No, Miss.
MRS. WATTY
What d'ye mean, no, Miss ?
MORGAN
We issn't 'ere again, Miss.
MRS. WATTY
What are you, then ?
MORGAN
We issn't the same lot ass this mornin', Miss.
MRS. WATTY
Ain't you?
MORGAN
Miss Ronny-berry tell us to wait, Miss,
MRS. WATTY
Ma'aml (Goes to tytchen door.}
f
MISS MOFFAT
(In the bedroom}
Yes?
MRS. WATTY
Five more nigger boys for you! (She goes into the tytehen*
MORGAN ta/tes a bottle from his poef^et and swigs at it. One of
the others holds out his hand, takes the bottle, gulps, and
gives it bac/{ f while another begins to hum absent-mindedly,
THE CORN IS GREEN
a snatch of the same song as before. The rest ta\e up the
harmony and sing it to the end. MR. JONES comes in.)
MORGAN
Sh! Good evening sir.
MR. JONES
Good evening. (Tips hat.)
MORGAN
I seed you and the lady teacher be'ind the door! (A laugh
from him and the others.)
MR. JONES
You wait till you see Miss MoflEat. She will give you what
for.
MORGAN
(Shading finger at boys)
You wait till you see Miss Moffat. She will give you what
for! (MR. JONES goes into the 'kitchen. ROBBART re-peats: "You
wait till you see Miss Moffat, she will give you what for!")
Shh!
(MISS MOFFAT comes downstairs from the bedroom.)
MISS MOFFAT
I told you, the shape of the bedroom doesn't allow for a
door into the barn Oh, she isn't here. . . . Sorry to keep you
waiting, boys ? but I have to go across to Mr. Rees, the car-
penter, and then 111 be able to talk to you. In the meantime,
37
THE CORN IS GREEN
will you go to the pump in the garden shed, and wash your
hands? Through there. You'll find a lantern. Did you under-
stand all that?
MORGAN
Yes, Miss.
THE OTHERS
Thank you, Miss.
MISS MOFFAT
Good. (Starts to go.)
MORGAN
Please, Miss, can I have a kiss?
MISS MOFFAT
(Returns')
What did you say?
MORGAN
Please, Miss, can I have a kiss?
MISS MOFFAT
Of course you can. (Puts her foot on bench tafos him by
the ned{ and bends him over her knee and spanks him with
the plans she carries) Can 1 oblige anybody else? (She goes
out by the front door. The others follow fur with their eyes,
aghast, in silence.)
ROBBART
Please, Miss, can I 'ave a smack bottom?
(An uproar of mirth, and a tjuict( tangle of Welsh.)
wnx
Na-beth of Naw-stee.
38
THE CORN IS GREEN
MORGAN
Cythral uffarn . . .
GLYN
Be hari hi hi a'i molchi . . .
JOHN
Pwy sisho molchi . . .
WILL
Welso ti'rioed wraig fel ene
MORGAN
Mae'n Iwcus na ddaru mi mo'i thrawo hi lawr a'i lladd
hi ...
ROBBART
Nawn (Rises) i drio molchi dewch hogia (All rise
start off) mae'n well nag eistedd yma dewch . . .
GLYN
Dynna gusan yti Morgan Bach.
ROBBART
Cymmer yna y corgu fol.
JOHN
Dynna ateb i ti.
WILL
Jobin da y diawl.
MORGAN
Cai da geg.
39
THE CORN IS GREEN
(They lumber into the garden, dose door. MR. JONES'
head appears timidly from the fyitchen. He sees they
are gone, gives a sigh of relief, and comes into the
room, carrying booJ^s. BESSIE comes in from the front
door, dejected and sulfyy. She is munching a sweet;
her hair is in curls, and one curl is turned around one
finger, which she holds stiffly in the air. She lays her
hat on the sofa, then decides MR. JONES'S company is
better than none.)
BESSIE
Would you like a sweetie ?
MR. JONES
No, thank you, my little dear. Have you had another walk ?
BEsSSIE
Yes, Mr. Jones. All by myself.
MR. JONES
Did you see anybody?
BESSIE
Only a lady and a gentleman in the lane and mother told
me never to look. . . . I do miss the shops. London's full o"
them, you know.
MR. JONES
Full of fancy rubbish, you mean,
BESSIE
I'd like to be always shopping* I would, Sundays and
all . . .
40
Bessie!
THE CORN IS GREEN
MRS. WATTY
BESSIE
(Slyly}
Mr. Jones, is it true the school idea isn't going on that
well?
MR. JONES
Who told you that?
BESSIE
Miss Ronberry was sayin' something to my mum. Oh, I
wasn't listenin'! . . . Besides, we've been here six weeks, and
nothings started yet.
MR. JONES
Everything is splendid.
BESSIE
(Disappointed}
Oh, I'm glad. Miss Moffat's been cruel to me, but I don't
bear no grudge.
MR. JONES
Cruel to you?
BESSIE
She hides my sweets. She's a liar too.
MR. JONES
A liar?
BESSIE
Told me they're bad for me. And it says on the bag they're
nourishin*. . . , And the idea of learnin' school with those
children, ooh . . .
41
THE CORN IS GREEN
MR. JONES
Why are you holding your hair like that?
BESSIE
These are my curls. D'you think it's nice?
MR. JONES
It is nice, but it is wrong.
MRS. WATTY
(Calling shrilly, in the J^itchen)
Bess-ie!
BESSIE
I've been curlin' each one round me finger and holdin' it
tight till it was all right. My finger's achin' something ter-
rible. (She goes into the kitchen* A 1{noc\ at the front door.)
MR. JONES
Dewch ifewn.
(IDWAL appears, drawing a small wooden crate on tiny
wheels which he pushes in front of the sofa, MISS
RONBERRY comes in from the study.)
1PWAL
Cloch yr ysgol, Mistar Jones.
MR. JONES
Diolch, ymachgcni* (Pause) Nosduwch.
42
THE CORN IS GREEN
IDWAL
Nosdawch, Mistar Jones. (He leaves through the front
door.)
MISS RONBERRY
It says here that eight sevens are fifty-six. Then it says that
seven eights are fifty-six I can't see that at all (MISS MOFFAT
returns.) Well?
MISS MOFFAT
No good.
MISS RONBERRY
Oh, dear.
MISS MOFFAT
Mr. Rees says he's had a strict order not to discuss lining
the roof till the lease of the barn is signed.
MR. JONES
Who gave the order?
MISS MOFFAT
That's what I want to know.
MISS RONBERRY
And when will the lease be signed?
MISS MOFFAT
Never, it seems to me. Did you call at the solicitor's ?
MR. JONES
They have located Sir Herbert Vezey, but he is now doubt-
ful about letting the barn and will give his decision by post.
43
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS MOFFAT
But why? He'd already said it was no use to him. And
my references were impeccable. . . . Why?
MISS RONBERRY
You look tired.
MISS MOFFAT
It's been a bit of a day. A letter from the mine to say no
child can be released aboveground that's all blethers, but
still ... A request from the public house not to start a school
in case it interferes with beer-swilling and games of chance.
A message from the chapel people to the effect that I am a
foreign adventuress with cloven feet; a bit of a day.
(MRS. WATTY comes in from the kitchen with a cup of
tea.)
MRS. WATTY
Drop o' tea, rna'am, I expect you've 'ad a bit of a day. . . .
MISS MOFFAT
Who was that at the back, anything important?
MRS. WATTY
Only the person that does for that Mrs. Gwcnt-Price.
Would you not 'ave your school opposite her lady because of
her lady's 'eadaches.
MISS MOFFAT
(Angrily)
What did you say ?
44
THE CORN IS GREEN
MRS. WATTY
I pulverized 'er. I said it would be a shame, I said, if there
was such a shindy over the way that the village couldn't hear
Mrs. Double-Barrel givin' her 'usband what for, I said. The
person didn't know where to put 'erself. (She goes bacl^ into
the fytchen.)
MR. JONES
That has not helped the peace in the community, neither.
MISS MOFFAT
I know, but she does make a tip-top cup of tea. . . . (See-
ing the crate, wearily) What's that?
MR. JONES
It is the bell, for the school.
MISS MOFFAT
Oh, is it?
MISS RONBERRY
(Rising)
The bell? Do let us have a peep . . .
MR. JONES
It was on Llantalon Monastery before it burnt down. . . .
MISS MOFFAT
(Of ens crate)
Look, it's got the rope, and everything. . . . Well, it's good
to see it, anyway.
45
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS RONBERRY
The mason finished the little tower for it yesterday. Do let
us tell those boys to put it up! It'll bring us luck!
MISS MOFFAT
I it keeps them out o mischief till I'm ready . , .
MISS RONBERRY
Mr. Jones, do go and tell them!
(JONES gives her a doubtful loo\ and goes toward the
garden. As he opens the door, JOHN OWEN shouts:
"Mai, Mr. Jones, yn dywed!" All the boys laugh,}
MISS MOFFAT
Poor Jonesy, he's terrified of 'em.
MISS RONBERRY
So am I. They're so big. And so black. . . .
(SARAH runs in, excited, leaving the door open behind
her.)
SARAH
A letter from the gentleman that own the barn, I had a
good look at the seal!
MISS MOFFAT
At last . . .
MISS RONBERRY
What does it say?
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS MOFFAT
Sir Herbert still cannot give a definite decision until the
seventeenth. Another week wasted. This is infuriating.
MISS RONBERRY
Does it mean he may not let you have it?
SARAH
Oh
MISS MOFFAT
He must it would ruin everything. . . .
MISS RONBERRY
Sarah isn't there another empty building anywhere round
here?
SARAH
There is the pigsties on the Maes Road, but they issn't big
enough. (5/2 e goes.)
MISS RONBERRY
Oh, dear! Can't we start afresh somewhere else?
MISS MOFFAT
I've spent too much on preparations here besides, I felt
so right here from the start. ... I can't leave now . , . I'm
a Christian woman, but I could smack Sir Herbert's face till
my arm dropped off.
(The front door is opened unceremoniously and the
SQUIRE strides in; he is in full evening dress.)
47
THE CORN IS GREEN
THE SQUIRE
Jolly good evenin', teacher. Remember me?
MISS MOFFAT
Would you mind going outside, knocking, and waiting
quite a long time before I say "Come in"?
THE SQUIRE
Jolly good! Parlor games, what?
MISS RONBERRY
But, Miss Moffat, it's the Squire! Squire, you must forget
you ever saw me in this dress ... So ashamed ... I shan't
be a moment . . . (She runs upstairs into the bedroom.)
THE SQUIRE
Rat tat tat, one two three four come in, one two three four,
forward march! My dear madam, you're not in class now! (A
\noc\ at the garden door) Come in!
(ROBBART and MORGAN enter from garden. MORGAN has
lantern.)
ROBBART
Please, Miss, for the bell.
THE SQUIRE
Evening, boys! (Enter JONES) Evening, Jones, I am ap-
palled to observe, my boys, that you are still soiling your
fingers in, that disgusting coal mine!
THE CORN IS GREEN
MR. JONES
Excuse me, please. . . . (He goes into the study.)
THE SQUIRE
What's that you've got there?
ROBBART
Bell, syr, for the school.
THE SQUIRE
Up with it, boys, up with it! (ROBBART lifts the crate and
carries it out of the garden door, which MORGAN has opened
for him. MORGAN follows him, shutting the door) Ding dong
bell teacher's in the well! . . . Now, my dear madam
MISS MOFFAT
Fm rather irritable this evening, so unless there's a reason
for your visit . . .
THE SQUIRE
Oh, but there is! Very important message. Word of mouth.
From a gent that's just been dining with me. Sir Herbert
Vezey.
MISS MOFFAT
Yes? Oh, do be quick! . . .
THE SQUIRE
He has definitely decided that he has no use for the barn
but he does not see it as a school, and under 110 circum-
stances will he let it as such, so he must regretfully decline,
et cetera.
49
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS MOFFAT
(Trying to hide her chagrin)
He implied in his first letter that he would be willing to
sell.
THE SQUIRE
Then some bigwig must have made him change his mind,
mustn't he?
MISS MOFFAT
(Suddenly looking at him, incredulously}
You?
THE SQUIRE
(Rising, serious, taking the floor with a certain authority)
I have not called on you, madam, because I have been
eyeing your activities very closely from afar. ... It is with
dis disapproval and er dis
MISS MOFFAT
It is unwise to embark on a speech with the vocabulary of
a child of five.
THE SQUIRE
(Suddenly aggressive)
I am not going to have any of this damned hanky-panky
in my village!
MISS MOFFAT
Your village!
THE SQUIRE
My village! I am no braggart, but Fd have you know that
everything you can see from that window and you haven't
got a bad view 7 ownl Now, my dear madam * . .
50
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS MOFFAT
(In an outburst)
And stop calling me your dear madam. I'm not married,
I'm not French, and you haven't the slightest affection for
me!
THE SQUIRE
Oh. . . . First of all, I'm not one to hit a woman below the
belt. If you know what I mean. Always be fair to the fair
sex. . . . All my life I've done my level best for the villagers.
They call me Squire, y'know, term of affection, jolly touch-
ing. ... I mean, a hamper every Christmas, the whole shoot,
and a whopping tankard of beer on my birthday, and on my
twentv-firster they all got a mug . . .
MISS MOFFAT
Go on.
THE SQUIRE
They jabber away in that funny lingo, but bless their hearts,
it's a free country! But puttin' 'em up to read English, and
pothooks, and givin' 'em ideas ... If there were more people
like you, y'know, England'd be a jolly dangerous place to live
in! What d'ye want to do, turn 'ern into gentlemen? What's
the idea?
MISS MOFFAT
I am beginning to wonder myself.
THE SQUIRE
Anyway, this buyin' 'em out of the mine is a lot of gam-
mon. I own a half share in it.
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS MOFFAT
That explains a good deal.
THE SQUIRE
Why don't you take up croquet ? Keep you out of mischief.
(MISS RONBERRY comes out of the bedroom} Well, dear lady,
anything I can do to make your stay here a happier one . . .
MISS MOFFAT
Thank you.
THE SQUIRE
I must be getting back. If I know Sir Herbert, my best old
port will be no more . . .
MISS MOFFAT
Wait a minute.
THE SQUIRE
Yes?
MISS MOFFAT
I know I shall be sticking a pin into a whale, but here are
just two words about yourself. You are the Squire Bountiful,
are you? Adored by his contented subjects, intelligent and
benignly understanding, are you? I should just like to point
out that there is a considerable amount of dirt, ignorance,
misery and discontent abroad in this world, and that a good
deal of it is due to people like you, because you are a stupid,
conceited, greedy, good-for-nothing, addle-headed nincom-
poop, and you can go to blue blazes. Good night! (She turns
away. A frozen pause.)
52
THE CORN IS GREEN
THE SQUIRE
I perceive that you have been drinking. (He goes.)
(MISS RONBERRY comes downstairs.)
MISS MOFFAT
That was undignified, but I feel better for it. (She sits on
the bench, intensely depressed.)
MISS RONBERRY
I am glad, because it was plain-spoken, wasn't it? Has he
been nasty? So unlike the Squire . , .
MISS MOFFAT
He was kindness itself. He advised me to go and live in a
hole in the ground with my knitting. He has persuaded the
owner not to sell.
MISS RONBERRY
Oh, dear ... of course ... I always think men know
best, don't you?
MISS MOFFAT
Yes.
MISS RONBERRY
I'm wearing rny mousseline de soie, and he never even
noticed. . . . What will you do?
MISS MOFFAT
Sell the house; take this brain child of a ridiculous spinster,
and smother it. Have you got a handkerchief?
53
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS RONBERRY
Yes, Miss Moffat. Why?
MISS MOFFAT
I want to blow my nose. (She holds her hand out; MISS
RONBERRY hands her the handkerchief. She blows her nose,
and returns the handkerchief.)
MISS RONBERRY
You ought to have had a cry. I love a cry when Fm de-
pressed. Such an advantage over the gentlemen, I always
think.
MISS MOFFAT
(Opening the study door)
Mr. Jones . . .
JONES
(Off stage)
Yes ...
MISS MOFFAT
Will you write letters to the tradespeople and the mine?
We are giving up the school . . .
JONES
(Off stage)
Oh!
MISS MOFFAT
I suppose we'd better start putting some order into this
chaos, and get the business over - . . What are these filthy
exercise books doing among my papers . . , ?
54
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS RONBERRY
Those hooligans just now. They said Mr. Jones had picked
them out because they could write English and would I
mind my own some-dreadful-word business.
MISS MOFFAT
I set them an essay on "How I would spend my holiday."
I must have been mad. . . . (Throws one boo\ away and
ta\es one from MISS RONBERRY.)
MISS RONBERRY
(Reading, laboriously)
"If I has ever holiday I has breakfast and talks then
dinner and a rest, tea then nothing then supper then I talk
and I go sleep."
MISS MOFFAT
From exhaustion, I suppose. (BESSIE comes in from the
fyitchen, gets hat -from table and starts for door) Where are
you going?
BESSIE
Just another walk, Miss Moffat.
MISS RONBERRY
What's the matter, little dear?
BESSIE
Mum's hit me.
MISS RONBERRY
Oh, naughty mum. Why?
55
THE CORN IS GREEN
BESSIE
Just because I told her she was common. (She goes out.)
MISS RONBERRY
That child is unhappy.
MISS MOFFAT
I can't be bothered with her. Another time I'd have been
faintly amused by this one's idea of a holiday, judging by a
rather crude drawing.
MISS RONBERRY
What is it?
MISS MOFFAT
A bicycling tour with me in bloomers.
MISS RONBERRY
Tch, tch . . .
MISS MOFFAT
(Reading)
" 'Holiday-time.' That carefree magic word! What shall it
be this year, tobogganing among the eternal snows or tasting
the joys of Father Neptune?"
MISS RONBERRY
But that's beautiful! Extraordinary!
MISS MOFFAT
I might think so too if I hadn't seen it in a book open on
that desk. (Throws boo)^ in
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS RONBERRY
Oh!
MISS MOFFAT
No, your Squire was right. ... I have been a stupid and
impractical ass, and I can't imagine how . . . (Loo\s at
name on boo\. She begins to read, slowly > with difficulty'}
"The mine is dark ... If a light come in the mine ... the
rivers in the mine will run fast with the voice of many
women; the walls will fall in, and it will be the end of the
world."
(MISS RONBERRY is listening, inquiringly. MORGAN enters
brusquely. He has made no attempt to wash, but
now that he is alone he half -emerges as a truculent f
arresting boy with, latent in him f a very strong per-
sonality which his immaturity and natural inclina-
tion ma\e him shy to display)
MORGAN
We put up the bell, Miss.
MISS RONBERRY
Shhh the garden . . . (MORGAN moves sulkily toward the
door) Do go on ...
MISS MOFFAT
(Reading)
". . . So the mine is dark. . . . But when I walk through
the Tan something shaft, in the dark, I can touch with
my hands the leaves on the trees, and underneath . . . where
the corn is green." (Lool^s at MORGAN.)
57
THE CORN IS GREEN
MORGAN
Go on readin'.
MISS MOFFAT
(Reading)
". . . There is a wind in the shaft, not carbon monoxide
they talk about, it smell like the sea, only like as if the sea
had fresh flowers lying about . . . and that is my holiday."
(She loo\s at the name on bool^. MORGAN starts off, turns
quickly as she speaks) Are you Morgan Evans?
MORGAN
Yes, Miss.
MISS MOFFAT
Did you write this?
MORGAN
(After hesitation, sullenly)
No, Miss.
MISS MOFFAT
But it's in your book.
MORGAN
Yes, Miss.
MISS MOFFAT
Then who wrote it?
MORGAN
I dunno, Miss.
(MISS MOFFAT nods to MISS RONBERRY, who fatters dis*
erectly into the study t doses door.)
58
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS MOFFAT
Did you write this? (It is difficult to tell from the crisp
severity of her manner that she is experiencing a growing
inward excitement. MORGAN loof(s at her, distrustfully.)
MORGAN
I dunnOj Miss. . . . What iss the matter with it?
MISS MOFFAT
Sit down. (He sits} And take your cap ofif. (He takfs off
his cap) Spelling's deplorable, of course. "Mine" with two
"n's," and "leaves" 1, e, , s.
MORGAN
What wass it by rights?
MISS MOFFAT
A "v," to start with.
MORGAN
I never 'eard o' no *Vs," Miss.
MISS MOFFAT
Don't call me Miss.
MORGAN
Are you not a Miss?
MISS MOFFAT
Yes, I am, but it is not polite.
59
THE CORN IS GREEN
MORGAN
Oh.
MISS MOFFAT
You say "Yes, Miss Moffat," or "No, Miss Moffat." M, o,
double f, a, t.
MORGAN
No Vs"?
MISS MOFFAT
No Vs." Where do you live?
MORGAN
Under the ground, Miss.
MISS MOFFAT
I mean your home.
MORGAN
Llyn-y-Mwyn, Miss . . . Moffat. Four miles from 'ere.
MISS MOFFAT
How big is it?
MORGAN
Four 'ouses and a beer-'ouse.
MISS MOFFAT
Have you any hobbies?
MORGAN
Oh, yes.
MISS MOFFAT
What?
60
THE CORN IS GREEN
MORGAN
Rum. (He ta\es a small bottle of rum out of his pocket.)
MISS MOFFAT
Rum? Do you live with your parents?
MORGAN
No, by my own self. My mother iss dead, and my father
and my four big brothers wass in the Big Shaft Accident
when I wass ten.
MISS MOFFAT
Killed?
MORGAN
Oh, yes, everybody wass.
MISS MOFFAT
What sort of man was your father?
MORGAN
'E was a mongrel.
MISS MOFFAT
A what?
MORGAN
'E had a dash of English. 'E learned it to me.
MISS MOFFAT
D'you go to chapel?
MORGAN
No, thank you.
61
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS MOFFAT
Who taught you to read and write?
MORGAN
Tott?
MISS MOFFAT
Taught. The verb "to teach."
MORGAN
Oh, teached.
MISS MOFFAT
Who taught you?
MORGAN
I did.
MISS MOFFAT
Why?
MORGAN
I dunno.
MISS MOFFAT
What books have you read?
MORGAN
Books? A bit of the Bible and a book that a feller from
the Plas kitchen nab for me.
MISS MOFFAT
What was it?
MORGAN
The Ladies' Companion! (MISS MOFFAT rises and wal\s
thoughtfully toward her de$1{, studying him. He sits ttncom~
62
THE CORN IS GREEN
fortably, twirling his cap between his fingers} Can I go now,
pliss ...
MISS MOFFAT
No. (MORGAN sits, ta\en abacJ() Do you want to learn any
more?
MORGAN
No, thank you.
MISS MOFFAT
Why not?
MORGAN
The other men would have a good laugh.
MISS MOFFAT
I see. Have you ever written anything before this exercise?
MORGAN
No.
MISS MOFFAT
Why not?
MORGAN
Nobody never ask me to. What iss the matter with it?
MISS MOFFAT
Nothing's the matter with it. Whether it means anything
is too early for me to say, but it shows exceptional talent for
a boy in your circumstances.
MORGAN
(Blinking and hesitating)
Terrible long words, Miss Moffat.
63
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS MOFFAT
This shows that you are very clever.
(A pause. He looJ^s up slowly, not sure if he has heard
aright, loo\s at her searching, then away again.
His mind is wording uncertainly, but swiftly.)
MORGAN
Oh.
MISS MOFFAT
Have you ever been told that before?
MORGAN
It iss news to me.
MISS MOFFAT
What effect does the news have on you?
MORGAN
It iss a bit sudden. It makes me that I ... (Hesitating,
then flunging) I want to get more clever still. I want to
know what iss behind o all them books. . . .
MISS MOFFAT
Miss Ronberry ... (To him) Can you come tomorrow?
MORGAN
(Tafyen by surprise)
Tomorrow no I am workin* on the six-till-four shift.
MISS MOFFAT
Then can you be here at five?
THE CORN IS GREEN
MORGAN
Five no, not before seven, Miss six miles to walk . . .
MISS MOFFAT
Oh, yes, of course seven then. In the meantime I'll correct
this for spelling and grammar.
MORGAN
(Staring at her, fascinated)
Yes, Miss Moffat.
MISS MOFFAT
That will be all. Good night.
MORGAN
Good night, Miss Moffat.
MISS MOFFAT
Are you the one I spanked? (He turns at the door, loo\s
at her, smiles, blinds and goes) Miss Ronberry! Mr. Jones!
(MISS RONBERRY runs in from the study.)
MISS RONBERRY
Yes?
MISS MOFFAT
I have been a deuce of a fool. It doesn't matter about the
barn; we are going to start the school, in a. small way at first,
in this room. . . . And I am going to get those youngsters
out of that mine if I have to black my face and go down and
fetch them myself! Get Jonesy before he posts those letters,
THE CORN IS GREEN
and tell those others I'll be ready for them in five minutes.
We are going on with the school! (MISS RONBERRY scampers
into the study, rather dazed. Her voice is heard, calling:
"We are going on with the school!" The door shuts behind
her. MISS MOFFAT reads from the exercise booty ". . . and
when I walk in the dark ... I can touch with my hands
. . . where the corn is green. . . ."
(The school bell rings.}
Curtain
66
ACT TWO
ACT TWO
SCENE I
An early evening in August, two years later; the sun is still
bright.
The room is now a complete jumble of living room and
schoolroom, and there is every sign of cheerful overcrowding.
The table in the window recess is re-placed by a double
school des\; the table and its small chair are -pushed behind
the sofa; a school des\ stands isolated between the big open-
top des\ and the sofa; between the sofa and the bay windotv,
two rows of four school dest^s each, squeezed together and
facing the audience at an angle. Charts, maps, an alphabet
list are pinned up higgledy-piggledy over all the booT{s; a
large world globe on the shelf; hat-pegs have been fixed
irregularly bacl^ of right door above and below J^itchen door.
BooJ(S overflow everywhere, all over the dresser especially, in
place of plates; the hat-pegs are loaded with caps and hats;
MISS MOFFAT'S cloa\ hangs on a hoo\ on the bac\ of the front
door; a blackboard lies on the sofa upside down, with "Con-
stantinople is the capital of Turkey" written across in MISS
RONBERRY'S tremulous handwriting. The lamp on the table has
been removed. Potted plants on the window sills.
Before the curtain rises, voices are heard singing, in har-
mony, in Welsh, "Eugeilio'r Gwenyth Gwyn"; children f
shrill, sweet and self-confident, reinforced by harmony from
older boys and parents, especially SARAH.
The room seems full of people; MISS RONBERRY stands
THE CORN IS GREEN
perched on the tiny stool between the sofa and the foot of
the stairs, her bac\ to the audience, conducting stiffly; MR,
JONES is crouched in the des\ chair, correcting exercises at
the open desJ^. SARAH, two older peasant women in shawls,
and three older men in their shabby best stand crowded be-
hind the eight des\s and in the window recess. In the front
row of des^s sit ROBBART, IDWAL, a little girl, and GLYN
THOMAS; in the second sit another little boy, another little
girl, BESSIE and WILL HUGHES. In another des\ pushed pro-
visionally next the front row sits JOHN OWEN, and in the
other isolated one sits OLD TOM, an elderly distinguished-
looking peasant, his cap and stic\ before him, carried away
by the music. A young girl sits at table.
BESSIE is silent, bored, and prettier than ever, though still
dressed as a sober little schoolgirl. The boys we saw before
as miners are clean and almost spruce; the parents follow
every movement of MISS RONBERRY'S with avid curiosity. The
pupils have slates and slate pencils in front of them.
The song is sung through to the end.
MISS RONBERRY
Now that was quite better. Full of splendid feeling, and
nice and precise as well. Have you all got my English trans-
lation? (She climbs down from her stool.)
THE PUPILS
Yes, Miss Ronberry.
MISS RONBERRY
Are you all quite sure of the meaning of "Thou lovedest
him, fair maid, that doth not love thee back?"
70
THE CORN IS GREEN
(Four older people follow with motion of lips.)
THE PUPILS
Yes, Miss Ronberry.
(Four feople spea\ the line after the others have said
it.)
OLD TOM
(Singing stentoriously , in broken English)
"That doth not luff thee . . . ba-a-ck!"
MISS RONBERRY
Capital, Mr. Tom. (She ta^es a small handbell from a
hoo\ beneath the stairs, rings it vigorously, and hangs it up
again; nobody moves) Home sweet home, children! Boys
and girls, come out to play!
(MISS PUGH nudges IDWAL.)
IDWAL
Please, Miss Ronberry, can we have some more?
MISS RONBERRY
Well, just the tiniest lesson. We must keep to the curricu-
lum. (Steps upon stool again) Now what would you like?
IDWAL
Please, Miss Ronberry, how do you spell it?
MISS RONBERRY
What, dear?
7*
THE CORN IS GREEN
OLD TOM
Curriculum!
MISS RONBERRY
What would you like? The rivers of Europe or King
Alfred and the cakes?
OLD TOM
Multiplication table!
(Some say "Yes" Others repeat "multiplications")
MISS RONBERRY
Well, twice six are twelve!
(One old man does not recite. He smiles.)
THE PUPILS
Twice seven are fourteen twice eight are sixteen
(They complete the table.)
OLD TOM
Twice thirteen are twenty-six!
MISS RONBERRY
Capital school dismiss!
(IDWAL crosses front of desl{ to window. All rise except
BESSIE.)
GLYN THOMAS
Be'di'r gloch. Merry?
72
THE CORN IS GREEN
1ST GIRL
Chwarter I bump.
A MOTHER
What iss the next thing in the multiplication?
A BOY
Wn i ddim yn wyr gofyn iddi (Rises.)
A MOTHER
Why issn't there any geography now?
SARAH PUGH
Friday geography, Thursday today . . .
AN OLD LADY
Pnawn dydd lau, te, banner awr wedi tri
IDWAL
Dyma'r fistress!
(MISS MOFFAT tual\s in from the garden. All rise but
BESSIE. She is more alert and businesslike than ever.
She is studying an exercise boo\. She goes into the
kitchen .)
SARAH PUGH
Miss Moffat.
A YOUNG FATHER
Oh, yes.
SARAH PUGH
Mi ddylaswn fod yn pobi heddyw
A dwidi gadal y cig yn y popdy -
73
THE CORN IS GREEN
A MOTHER
Mi fydd eich cegin chi ar dan, Mrs. Pugh
IDWAL
'Nhad, gai fynd i chwara yn nghae John Da vies
A FATHER
(Answering him)
Ddim heddyw dwisho ti gartre
1ST GIRL
Yforty d'wi am drio sgwennu llythyr (Crossing to 2ND
GIRL.)
2ND GIRL
Os gynnachi steel-pen golew?
WILL HUGHES
Mae'na gymaint o flots!
3RD GIRL
Dwi wedi sgwennu llythyr at fy nain, wni ddim be
ddidi'thi.
WILL HUGHES
Welsochi 'rioed eiriau fel one?
SARAH PUGH
Fedri'thi ddim canu fel Cytnraes, digon siwr
ROBBART ROBBATCH
Mae'r hen ddyn am oyn rwbeth iddi eto -drychwch
arno
74
THE CORN IS GREEN
SARAH PUGH
Mi gollith'o ei Gymraeg cyn bo hir
Idwal, what you looking so sorry always wanting to
know something
3RD GIRL
Mae genni just ddigon o amswer i gyrraedd at y llyn
Mae'r dwr yn rhy oer i ymdrochi
SARAH PUGH
Nag ydi mae'r haul wedi bod yn rhy boeth heddyw
(The crowd finally trickle out, shepherded by MISS
RONBERRY. Besides BESSIE, there are left OLD TOM,
studying, MISS RONBERRY and IDWAL.)
IDWAL
Miss Ronberry, please, what is four times fourteen?
MISS RONBERRY
Thank you so much for the flowers, Idwal, dear.
IDWAL
Yes, Miss Ronberry. (He follows the others; leaves door
open.)
MISS RONBERRY
Is there anything you would like to know, Mr. Tom?
OLD TOM
Where iss Shakespeare?
MISS RONBERRY
Where? Shakespeare, Mr. Tom, was a very great writer.
75
THE CORN IS GREEN
OLD TOM
Writer? Like the Beibl?
MISS RONBERRY
Like the Bible.
OLD TOM
Dear me, and me thinkin' the man was a place. (Following
the others, muttering sadly} If I iss been born fifty years
later, I iss been top of the class.
MISS RONBERRY
Oh, dear . . . (Tidying the des%s. BESSIE crawls over seats
to small des1() Miss Moflfat has been doing grammar with
Form Two under the pear tree for an hour, she must be
dead. . . . Why did you not get up when she crossed? (She
takes a pumice stone from a drawer,)
BESSIE
My foot went to sleep. (Her manner is more impudent
than ever.)
MISS RONBERRY
That, dear, is a naughty fib.
BESSIE
(Sits)
If you want to know, Miss Ronberry, I feel quite faint
sometimes, as if my heart'd stopped and the world was
coming to an end.
MISS RONBERRY
(With guileless solicitude)
Bessie, dear, how horrid!
THE CORN IS GREEN
MR. JONES
It may be in the nature of a premonition.
MISS RONBERRY
A what?
MR. JONES
I had a premonition once. Like a wave of the ocean
breakin' on a sea shell. Something had said to me that
mornin*: "Walk, and think, and keep ofi the food, for
thirteen hours." So I ordered my supper, and I went.
Towards the end of the day (MISS MOFFAT enters from
kitchen) I was sittin* on a stile in a cloak of meditation; and
a voice roared at me: "John Goronwy Jones, tomorrow
morning is the end of the world!"
MISS MOFFAT
And was it?
MR. JONES
(Sadly)
It was eight years ago. It was a splendid experience.
MISS MOFFAT
Which proves how much the gift of prophecy can owe to
an empty stomach. . . . Anybody seen a Greek book? (Picf^~
ing up a tiny volume) Here it is ... (Starting toward stairs.)
MISS RONBERRY
Greek, Miss MofFat?
MISS MOFFAT
Morgan Evans is starting Greek this month.
77
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS RONBERRY
No! I didn't know you knew Greek?
MISS MOFFAT
I don't; I've just got to keep one day ahead of him and
trust to luck. (She disappears into her bedroom.)
MISS RONBERRY
To think that two years ago he hardly knew English!
BESSIE
Stuck-up teacher's pet.
MISS RONBERRY
You must not think that, dear, Miss MoflEat says he is
clever.
BESSIE
He always looks right through me, so I don't know, I'm
sure. Stuck-up teacher's pet. ... I got some scent on my
hands, Mr. Jones, like to smell them?
MR. JONES
No, thank you, Bessie, I can smell them from here, thank
you.
BESSIE
(Sniffing her hands, softly)
Ooh, it's lovely. . . .
MISS RONBERRY
She has some wonderful plans for him I can tell by her
manner. I think she is trying to send him to one of those
THE CORN IS GREEN
Church schools so that he can get a curateship. Would not
that be exciting?
BESSIE
(Indolently}
I think she's ridin* for a fall.
(JONES turns, loo\s, and goes bac\ to his
MISS RONBERRY
Bessie! Why?
BESSIE
All this orderin' 'im about. I've got eyes in my head, if
she hasn't, and he's gettin' sick of it. I think a lady ought
to be dainty. She's no idea.
(MISS MOFFAT appears at the top of the stairs.)
MISS MOFFAT
Evans! (A pause. MORGAN comes in from the study. He is
now seventeen. He is dressed in a shabby country suit f and
is at the moment the submissive schoolboy, very different
from the first act. He carries a sheet of writing and a pen.
MISS MOFFAT'S attitude to him seems purely impersonal. The
others watch them) Finished?
MORGAN
Yes, Miss Moffat.
(MISS RONBERRY rubs in\ off her hands with pumice
stone?)
79
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS MOFFAT
How many pages ?
MORGAN
Nine.
MISS MOFFAT
Three too many. Boil down to six. Have you got those
lines of Voltaire?
MORGAN
Yes, Miss MofFat.
MISS MOFFAT
It's just five have your walk now, good and brisk. . . .
(MORGAN, taking his cap from a peg, starts for the
-front door.)
MORGAN
Yes, Miss Moffat. (Stops.)
MISS MOFFAT
But kill two birds and get the Voltaire by heart. If you
can ever argue a point like that, you'll do. Back in twenty
minutes and take your pen from behind your ear. (She
disappears into her bedroom. Her manner is too matter of
fact to be unkind, but MORGAN is not taking it well. He
throws his pen on to a des\.)
BESSIE
Now turn a somersault and beg. (He loo^s at her with
contempt. She returns his stare brazenly. She turns to see if
the others are noticing. MISS RONBERRY is busy with her
pumice stone and MR. JONES is engrossed in his wor\* BESSIE
80
THE CORN IS GREEN
looks away from them all, suddenly soft and mysterious)
Can you smell scent?
MORGAN
Yes.
BESSIE
(Dreamily)
Nice, isn't it?
MORGAN
I don't know, I never come across scent before. (Correct-
ing himself unwillingly) I did never come across scent be-
fore. . . .
BESSIE
Bright, aren't you? Don't you ever get tired of lessons?
(JONES loo\s in disapproval. She begins to sing "With His
Bell Bottom Trousers" He goes to the front door, turns,
then goes, banging the door. She flings down her slate)
There we go. And my mummy ought to be back soon, and
then well know somethin'.
MR. JONES
What is the matter? Where has she gone?
BESSIE
One of her prayer meetings. Twenty miles to shake a tam-
bourine in the open air. I think it's wicked. . . . She ought
to be just in time, and then well know.
MR. JONES
Know what?
81
THE CORN IS GREEN
BESSIE
About that horrid Morgan Evans. It's been lessons every
night with teacher, hasn't it, since we left the mine? And
long walks in between, to blow the cobwebs away? But the
last week or two we've been breaking our journey, so we've
heard.
MR. JONES
How do you mean?
BESSIE
A glass of rum next door at the Gwesmor Arms and then
another, and then another!
MR. JONES
(Perturbed}
Oh, . . . Whoever told you that?
BESSIE
A little bird. And if my mummy's sciatica's better she's
going to jump up and look over the frosty part, and then
we'll \now.
(MRS. WATTY hurries in through the front door, in high
spirits. She wears an ill-fitting Militant Righteous-
ness Corps uniform, and carries an umbrella and a
brown-paper parcel.}
MRS. WATTY
Guess what's 'appened to me!
BESSIE
What?
82
THE CORN IS GREEN
MRS. WATTY
I'm a Sergeant-Major!
(MISS MOFFAT has come out on to the landing; her hair
is down and she is brushing it.)
MISS MOFFAT
Watty, you're not!
(JONES turns to MISS MOFFAT.)
MRS. WATTY
Oh, ma'am, I didn't see you . . .
MISS MOFFAT
Tell me more!
MRS. WATTY
You remember Sergeant-Major 'Opkins desertin' in Cardiff
and marryin' a sailor?
MISS MOFFAT
Yes?
MRS. WATTY
Well, last week, not two months after she give up the
Corpse, she was dead!
MISS MOFFAT
And you've stepped into her shoes?
MRS. WATTY
They're a bit on the big side; but I can put a bit o paper
83
THE CORN IS GREEN
in. The uniform fits lovely, though. Ill get you a cup o' tea
and an egg, ma'am, you never 'ad that cold meat, ma'am,
111 be bound?
MISS MOFFAT
Folk eat too much anyway. (She goes bacl^ into her bed-
room?)
BESSIE
Did you jump?
MRS. WATTY
(Coming bac\ into the room)
Just caught 5 im. (To MR. JONES, sorrowfully) He was
'avin' a good drink, sir. ... (To BESSIE) Don't you dare
tell 'er, you little dollymop, or 111 rattle your bones. . . .
(MISS MOFFAT reappears and comes downstairs.)
MISS MOFFAT
Was it a nice service, Watty?
MRS. WATTY
Beautiful, ma'am. They said they 'oped the late Sergeant-
Major was gone where we all want to go, but with 'er having
deserted they couldn't be sure. Then we saved three sinners.
You ought to been there. . . . And the collection! (Starts
-for Jfitcheri) I 'adn't seed so much oof since the Great Liver-
pool Exhibition.
MISS RONBERRY
But they didn't make a collection at the Liverpool Exhi-
bition, did they?
THE CORN IS GREEN
MRS. WATTY
No, but I did.
(MR. JONES ta^es blackboard to settle. MISS RONBERRY
gets booT^ from dresser. MRS. WATTY goes to fytchen.)
BESSIE
Please, Miss Moflfat, can I have the money for my ticket?
(MR. JONES draws diagram on blackboard.)
MISS MOFFAT
What ticket?
BESSIE
For Tregarna Fair tomorrow. You said I could go.
MISS MOFFAT
On the contrary, I said you couldn't. Not in school hours.
MISS RONBERRY
Are you feeling better, dear?
BESSIE
No, Miss Ronberry. It's all this sittin' down. It's been going
on for two years now. I heard tell it ends in everythin' rottin'
away.
MISS MOFFAT
(Sitting at desl$
What's rotting away?
85
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS RONBERRY
Bessie says she's been sitting down for two years.
MISS MOFFAT
She's lucky. My feet feel as if I've been standing for the
same length of time. What are these, Ron?
MISS RONBERRY
Two more accounts, I fear.
MISS MOFFAT
Oh 3 yes. The Liddell and Scott and Evans's new suit.
Teh . . . (Cheerfully} I shall have to sell out a couple more
shares, I expect.
MISS RONBERRY
Oh, dear.
MISS MOFFAT
Not at all. It's easy to squander money, and it's easy to
hoard it. The most difficult thing in the world is to use it.
And if I've learned to use it, I've done something. That's
better.. . . . My plans are laid, Ron, my dear, my plans are
laid! But don't ask me what I'm hatching, because I can't
tell you till tomorrow.
MISS RONBERRY
You are wonderful!
MISS MOFFAT
Go to Halifax. (MISS RONBERRY sits on couch and studies
from booT() ^' m enjoying myself. (Huge sigh from BESSIE)
Bessie Watty, what is this dying duck business?
86
THE CORN IS GREEN
BESSIE
Yes, Miss Moffat.
MISS MOFFAT
Don't "y es > Miss Mofiat" me. Explain yourself.
BESSIE
My mummy said all these lessons is bad for my inside.
MISS MOFFAT
She told me they stop you eating sweets, but perhaps I am
telling the lie.
BESSIE
Yes, Miss Moffat.
MISS MOFFAT
What's the matter with your inside?
BESSIE
It goes round and round through sittin' down. P'r'aps what
I want is a change.
MISS MOFFAT
(Muttering)
"Adelphos, a brother" . . . There is nothing to prevent you
going for walks between lessons. You can go for one now,
as far as Sarah Pugh Postman, to see if my new chalks have
arrived. (Looking at BESSIE, as the latter stares before her
without moving) Quick march.
BESSIE
I'm not goin'.
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS MOFFAT
What did you say?
BESSIE
I'm not goin'. Everybody's against me. . . . I'm goin' to
throw myself off o a cliff, an' kill myself. . . . It'll make a
nice case in the papers, me in pieces at the bottom of a cliff!
I'm goin* mad, mad, and I'm goin* to kill myself, nothin'
goin' to stop me stone dead at the bottom of a cliff ah
ah ah ...
(MRS. WATTY strides in from the 'kitchen with a cupful
of cold water which she throws into her daughter's
face.)
MRS. WATTY
(To MISS MOFFAT)
I made a mess o* your rug, ma'am, but it's worth it. She's
got bad blood, this girl, mark my word.
MISS RONBERRY
She'll catch her death!
MRS. WATTY
Nothing like cold water, ma'am. I learnt that with her
father. 'E was foreign, you know. (She goes bac\ into the
\itchen. MISS MOFFAT studies BESSIE with distaste.)
MISS MOFFAT
And how do you feel after that?
BESSIE
I can't remember anything. I'm in a comma.
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS MOFFAT
(Taking her by the arm, starts pushing her upstairs)
Well sit on our bed for an hour with the door locked,
shall we, and try to remember? And next week you go away
into service and see how we like that. . . . (She pushes her
out of sight into the passage; a door bangs; the noise of a
loc\ turning. MISS MOFFAT comes downstairs, tucking the \ey
into her petticoat pocket) I must count her as one of my
failures. Fish out of water, of course. Guttersnipe species if
there is such a fish. She'll be more at home in service. . . .
(Muttering) "Dendron, a tree "
MISS RONBERRY
I beg your pardon . . . ? Oh, Miss Moffat, I am bursting
with curiosity your plans for Morgan Evans is it a curate-
ship?
MISS MOFFAT
(Slowly, amused}
No, it isn't a curateship. (She laughs happily f wal\s toward
the des\ and ta\es up an exercise
MISS RONBERRY
I really don't see anything funny about curates. (To MR.
JONES) I mean, there is nothing wrong with curates, is there?
MR. JONES
No, except that they ought to go to chapel.
MISS MOFFAT
Who has been writing in here?
THE CORN IS GREEN
(MRS. WATTY appears at the fytchen door.)
MRS. WATTY
Your egg, ma'am!
MISS MOFFAT
"Bessie Watty has the face of an angel!"
(JONES takes hat from peg, goes to door.)
MISS RONBERRY
What an extraordinary . . .
MISS MOFFAT
But I know the writing. John Goronwy Jones, I'm ashamed
of you.
MR. JONES
I shall see you tomorrow if we are spared.
MISS RONBERRY
(Shocked)
Oh!
MR. JONES
You all misjudge that little girl. She has the face of a good
woman in the melting pot.
MISS MOFFAT
I've got the face of a good woman, too, and well out of the
melting pot, but I don't think I'd ever find it in writing. (She
goes into the %itchen)
90
THE CORN IS GREEN
MRS. WATTY
I never thought I'd live to call you a naughty old man,
(She follows MISS MOFFAT into the fytchen. MR. JONES goes out
through the front door. MISS RONBERRY gets her hat and shawl
and crosses to small mirror in bookcase. The front door opens
abruptly and MORGAN appears. He is dishevelled, and it is
fairly apparent that he has been drinking. His manner is de-
fiant. The door bangs behind him.)
MISS RONBERRY
Oh, it's you, Morgan. . . . (Eac\ at the mirror} Miss Mof-
fat is having something to eat.
MORGAN
And I have been having something to drink, so we are
quits.
MISS RONBERRY
(Looking at him sharply f the unpleasant truth dawn-
ing on her)
I will tell her that you are back. . . ,
MORGAN
I don't want to see no Miss Moffat.
MISS RONBERRY
You mean "I don't want to see Miss Moflfat." The double
negative. . . .
MORGAN
Now don't you start! ... I like the double negative, it says
what I want the way I like, and I am not goin' to stand no
9*
THE CORN IS GREEN
interferences from nobody! Voltaire indeed . , . (Crumples
paper, %ic%s it savagely into a corner.)
MISS RONBERRY
Morgan! I've never seen you like this before!
MORGAN
You haven't, have you? (In a rising torrent of invective)
Well, now I come to think of it, I haven't neither, not for
two years, and I'm surprised by meself, and shocked by me-
self ! "Coin' inside one o' them public houses and puttin' me
nice clean boots on that dirty rail, and me dainty lady fingers
on that detestable mucky counter! Pourin' poison rum down
me nice clean teeth, and spittin' in a spittoon. What's come
over you, Morgan Evans ? You come back to your little cage,
and if you comb hair and wash hands and get your grammar
right and forget you was once the Middle-weight Champion
of the Glasynglo Miners, we might give you a nice bit of
sewin* to do ... Where's that Bessie Watty, sendin' her
mother to spy on me, I'll knock her bloody block off. . . .
MISS RONBERRY
(Outraged)
Morgan Evans, language! Don't you dare use an expression
like that to me again!
MORGAN
(Facing her, leaning over couch)
I got plenty of others, thank you, and they are all comin'
out. I am goin' to surprise quite a few . . .
(MISS MOFFAT enters jrom the kitchen)
92
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS MOFFAT
Have a good walk, Evans?
MORGAN
Yes, Miss Moffat.
MISS MOFFAT
Can you repeat the Voltaire? (Sitting on the sofa, drin%-
ing milJ^.)
MORGAN
Not yet.
MISS MOFFAT
It's very short.
MORGAN
Paper blowed away.
MISS MOFFAT
Oh. Copy it again, will you, and bring it to me.
MORGAN
(Muttering)
Yes, Miss Moffat.
MISS MOFFAT
(Holding out the jug)
Would you like a drink?
(MORGAN stops.)
MORGAN
No, thank you. (He goes into the study)
93
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS MOFFAT
I hope he's not going to be slow at French. It'll make the
Greek so much more difficult. . . .
MISS RONBERRY
You don't think perhaps all this in his situation is rather
sudden for him? I mean . . .
MISS MOFFAT
Not for him, my dear. He has the most brilliantly receptive
brain I've ever come across. Don't tell him so, but he has.
MISS RONBERRY
I know his brain is all right. . . .
MISS MOFFAT
I'm very pleased with his progress, on the whole. ... (A
fyzocf^ at the front door. MISS RONBERRY moves toward the
door. MISS MOFFAT stops her) Wait a minute! (Crosses to al-
cove window. Peering out toward the front door) Yes, it
is. ...
MISS RONBERRY
Who?
MISS MOFFAT
Royalty, the Conservatives and all the Grand Lamas rolled
into one. The Squire.
MISS RONBERRY
The Squire! Oh, my!
94
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS MOFFAT
It is indeed. Oh, my let me have your shawl.
MISS RONBERRY
But he hasn't been here since that dreadful evening. . . .
MISS MOFFAT
I (Going upstairs) behaved more stupidly that night than
I ever have in my life, and that's saying something. . . .
MISS RONBERRY
But why is he here now?
MISS MOFFAT
Never you mind. . . . All I can tell you is that it is to do
with Morgan Evans, and that it is vital I make the right im-
pression.
MISS RONBERRY
(As MISS MOFFAT runs upstairs)
What sort of impression ?
MISS MOFFAT
(On last step)
Helpless and clinging, or as near as dammit . . .
(She disappears into her room, as there is a second im-
patient k. noc k at ^e front door.)
MISS RONBERRY
Come in!
(The door opens and the GROOM appears.)
95
THE CORN IS GREEN
THE GROOM
(Announcing)
The Squire.
(The SQUIRE follows the GROOM, who retires and shuts
the door.}
THE SQUIRE
Good afternoon. (He is dressed in a summer lounge suit,
and holds his hat in his hand.)
MISS RONBERRY
Your hat, Squire . . .
THE SQUIRE
No, thank you, I am not staying.
MISS RONBERRY
Oh, dear, I do look a sketch . . .
THE SQUIRE
(LooJ(s around)
So this is the seat o learning.
MISS RONBERRY
We are always on the point of a good spring-clean. How
dreadful that we have no refreshment to offer you!
THE SQUIRE
You can tell her from me that I am not here to be insulted
again.
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS RONBERRY
Oh, I'm sure you aren't! I mean . . .
THE SQUIRE
She called me an addle-headed nincompoop.
(MISS MOFFAT comes downstairs, a lace shawl draped
over her shoulder. She carries a bowl of flowers.)
MISS MOFFAT
Miss Ronberry, dear, my roses are dying. . . . Would you
pour out a little water for them, I have such a headache I
don't think . . . (Feigning surprise) Squire!
THE SQUIRE
You wrote to me. Perhaps you have forgotten.
MISS MOFFAT
How could I forget! I only thought that after the over-
wrought fashion of my behaviour at our last meeting you
must ignore my very nervous invitation. Miss Ronberry, a
chair, dear, for the Squire. . . .
(Startled, MISS RONBERRY ta\es a small chair from
THE SQUIRE
I have not a great deal of time to spare, I fear.
MISS MOFFAT
Of course you haven't, I was just saying to Miss Ronberry,
he's so busy hell never be able to fit it in! Miss Ronberry,
97
THE CORN IS GREEN
dear, would you get some water for them? (She hands the
bowl to MISS RONBERRY, who passes the SQUIRE and goes into
the garden bewildered) Tell me, Squire, how did your prize-
giving fare this afternoon?
THE SQUIRE
Rather a bore, y'know.
MISS MOFFAT
I had so hoped to see you judge. I love flowers.
THE SQUIRE
It wasn't flowers. It was cows.
MISS MOFFAT
Oh. It was your speech I wanted to hear, of course; I heard
you made such an amusing one at the Croquet.
THE SQUIRE
Oh, did they tell you about that? Rather a good pun, eh?
(Laughing) Ha, ha ... -I may I sit down?
MISS MOFFAT
Do!
THE SQUIRE
I thought Griffith, the butcher, was going to laugh his
napper off.
MISS MOFFAT
Indeed . . . Do you know, Squire, that makes me rather
proud?
THE CORN IS GREEN
THE SQUIRE
Proud? Why?
MISS MOFFAT
Because he would not have understood a word if his little
girls hadn't learnt English at my school.
THE SQUIRE
Oh. Never thought o it like that. . . . (As she puts her
hand to her head, says "Oh"} Headache?
MISS MOFFAT
Squire, you see before you a tired woman. We live and
learn, and I have learnt how right you were that night. I
have worked my fingers to the bone battering my head against
a stone wall.
THE SQUIRE
But I heard you were a spiffing success.
MISS MOFFAT
Oh, no.
THE SQUIRE
(Muttering)
It's fair of you to admit it, I must say.
MISS MOFFAT
You see, in one's womanly enthusiasm one forgets that the
qualities vital to success in this sort of venture are completely
lacking in one: intelligence, courage and authority. . . . The
qualities, in short, of a man.
99
THE CORN IS GREEN
THE SQUIRE
Come, come, you mustn't be too hard on yourself, y'know.
After all, you've meant well.
MISS MOFFAT
It's kind of you to say that.
THE SQUIRE
What about this Jones chappie?
MISS MOFFAT
He's a dear creature, but ... I have no wish to be fulsome.
I mean a man like yourself.
THE SQUIRE
I see.
MISS MOFFAT
One gets into such muddles! You'd never believe!
THE SQUIRE
Well . . . I've never been on your side, but I'm sorry to
hear you've come a cropper. When are you giving it up ?
MISS MOFFAT
Oh ... That again is difficult; I have all my widow's mite,
as it were, in the venture. . . .
(MORGAN appears from the study carrying a paper. He
has regained his self-control.)
100
THE CORN IS GREEN
MORGAN
(Stops)
Please excuse me
MISS MOFFAT
It's all right, Evans. Have you copied it? On my desk, will
you?
MORGAN
Excuse me, sir ... Good afternoon, sir.
THE SQUIRE
Good afternoon, my boy.
MORGAN
Excuse me, sir ... Thank you. (He goes.)
THE SQUIRE
Nice well-spoken lad. Relative?
MISS MOFFAT
No. A pupil. He used to be one of your miners.
THE SQUIRE
No!
MISS MOFFAT
I'm glad you thought he was a nice well-spoken lad.
THE SQUIRE
Yes . . . One of my miners, interesting . . .
101
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS MOFFAT
Because he is the problem I should like your advice about.
THE SQUIRE
What's he been up to, poaching?
MISS MOFFAT
No.
THE SQUIRE
A bit o' muslin?
MISS MOFFAT
(Amused}
No, no ... There are none, anyway. . . .
THE SQUIRE
(Suddenly shrewd}
What about the little Cockney filly?
MISS MOFFAT
Bessie Watty? Oh, no, I assure you she's a schoolgirl. . . .
THE SQUIRE
I dunno, all these young people growing up together,
y'know eh ?
MISS MOFFAT
I think it's good for them . . . No, there's nothing of that
sort but he's a problem just the same. And like a true
woman I have to scream for help to a man. To you.
102
THE CORN IS GREEN
THE SQUIRE
(Completely won)
Scream away, dear lady, scream away!
MISS MOFFAT
Well, he's clever.
THE SQUIRE
Oh, is he? Good at figures, and all that? Because if he is,
there's no reason why I shouldn't put him in my Mine Office,
as junior office boy. What d'ye think of that?
MISS MOFFAT
No. Figures aren't his strong point.
THE SQUIRE
Thought you said he was clever.
MISS MOFFAT
To begin with, he can write.
THE SQUIRE
Oh. Well?
MISS MOFFAT
Very well.
THE SQUIRE
Then he could make fair copies. Eh?
MISS MOFFAT
No. (Choosing her words care-fully} This boy is quite
out of the ordinary.
103
THE CORN IS GREEN
THE SQUIRE
Sure?
MISS MOFFAT
As sure as one o your miners would be, cutting through
coal and striking a diamond without a flaw. He was born
with very exceptional gifts. They must be they ought to be
given every chance.
THE SQUIRE
You mean he might turn into a literary bloke?
MISS MOFFAT
He might, yes.
THE SQUIRE
I'm bio wed! How d'ye know?
MISS MOFFAT
By his work. It's very good.
THE SQUIRE
How d'ye know it's good ?
MISS MOFFAT
How does one know Shakespeare's good?
THE SQUIRE
Shakespeare? What's he got to do with it?
MISS MOFFAT
He was a literary bloke.
104
THE CORN IS GREEN
THE SQUIRE
Ye-es. He was good, o course.
MISS MOFFAT
This little tenant o yours, Squire, has it in him to bring
great credit to you.
THE SQUIRE
Yes, he is a tenant of mine, isn't he?
MISS MOFFAT
Imagine i you could say that you had known well, say.
Lord Tennyson, as a boy on your estate!
THE SQUIRE
Rather a lark, what? Though it's a bit different, y'know.
Tennyson was at Cambridge. My old college.
MISS MOFFAT
Oh . . . Poor Evans. What a pity he was not born at the
beginning of the eighteenth century!
THE SQUIRE
Beginning of the eighteenth century . . . Now when was
that . . . ?
MISS MOFFAT
He would have had a protector. (Ta\e$ two boo\s from
bookcase.}
THE SQUIRE
What against?
105
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS MOFFAT
A patron. Pope, you recall, dedicated the famous "Essay on
Man" to his protector. (Crosses front of small des\^)
THE SQUIRE
"To H. St. John Lord Bolingbroke." Mmm ... I have
heard of it, now I remember. . . .
MISS MOFFAT
Isn't it wonderful to think that that inscription is handed
down to posterity? (Reading from the other booty "To the
Right Honourable Earl of Southampton . . . Your Honour's
in all duty, William Shakespeare."
THE SQUIRE
Oh.
MISS MOFFAT
I often think of the pride that surged in the Earl's bosom
when his encouragement gave birth to the masterpiece of a
poor and humble writer!
THE SQUIRE
Funny, I never thought of Shakespeare being poor, some-
how.
MISS MOFFAT
Some say his father was a butcher. The Earl realized he
had genius, and fostered it.
THE SQUIRE
Mmm! If this boy really is clever, it seems a pity for me
not to do something about it, doesn't it?
106
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS MOFFAT
A great pity. And I can tell you exactly how you can do
something about it.
THE SQUIRE
How?
MISS MOFFAT
There's a scholarship going.
THE SQUIRE
Scholarship? Where?
MISS MOFFAT
To Oxford.
THE SQUIRE
(Staggered)
Oxford?
MISS MOFFAT
(Moves closer)
A scholarship to Trinity College, Oxford, open to boys of
secondary education in the British Isles. My school hardly
comes under the heading of secondary education, and I wrote
to your brother at Magdalen; he pulled some strings for me,
and they have agreed to make a special case of this boy, on
one condition. That you vouch for him. Will you?
THE SQUIRE
My dear lady, you take the cake . . . Can't he be just as
clever at home?
MISS MOFFAT
No, he can't. For the sort of future he ought to have, he
must have polish he has everything else. The background of
107
THE CORN IS GREEN
a university would be invaluable to him. . . . (SQUIRE rises)
Will you?
THE SQUIRE
Well, the 'Varsity, y'know, hang it all ... Mind you, hell
never get it.
MISS MOFFAT
I know, but he must have the chance. . . .
THE SQUIRE
Still, y'know, even the mere prospect of one o' my miners . . .
MISS MOFFAT
Think of Shakespeare!
THE SQUIRE
All serene. (MISS MOFFAT rises') I'll drop a line to Henry
next week. Rather a lark, what? I must be off . . ,
MISS MOFFAT
I should be most obliged if the letter could be posted to-
morrow. Would you like me to draft out a recommendation
and send it over to the Hall? You must be so busy with the
estate. . . .
THE SQUIRE
I am rather. Polka supper tomorrow night . . , Yes, do do
that. Good-bye, dear lady!
MISS MOFFAT
Thank you so very much, Squire. . . .
108
THE CORN IS GREEN
THE SQUIRE
Happier conditions, and all that! Glad you've come to your
senses!
MISS MOFFAT
Thank you so very much. Squire!
THE SQUIRE
Not at all, I'm all for giving a writer-fellow a helping hand.
Tell my brother that, if you like . . . Good-bye Good-bye.
(Exits. MISS MOFFAT closes door. MISS RONBERRY hurries in from
the garden, carrying the bowl of roses. The afternoon sun be-
gins to set.)
MISS RONBERRY
Well? (Puts vase on desl^)
MISS MOFFAT
That man is so stupid it sits on him like a halo.
MISS RONBERRY
What happened?
MISS MOFFAT
In ten minutes I have given the Squire the impression that
he spends his whole time fostering genius in the illiterate.
MISS RONBERRY
But how?
MISS MOFFAT
Soft soap and curtseying; with my brain, my heart and my
soul. I've beaten you at your own game, my dear; at my age
and with my looks, I flirted with him! And he is going to
109
THE CORN IS GREEN
write to Oxford; at least, I am going to write to Oxford for
him. Hallelujah.
MISS RONBERRY
Oxford?
MISS MOFFAT
I am entering my little pit-pony for a scholarship to Ox-
ford, child, Oxford University!
MISS RONBERRY
(Incredulous)
But they don't have miners at Oxford University!
MISS MOFFAT
Well, they're going to. The lad is on this earth for eighty
years at the most out of a few millions; let the proud silly
ones grovel and be useful for a change, so he can step up on
their backs to something better! I was bursting to say that to
the Lord of the Manor, so I must vent it on you . . . Thank
you for your shawl, my dear and now you've served your
purpose, you can go home but you'd better watch out, I may
beat you to the altar yet. . . . (She shuts the -front door on
her, and comes bac\ into the room, gets papers, then crosses
to table moves table, moves milJ^ jug to sideboard and sits at
table. Seated before she calls.) Evans! (MORGAN comes in from
the study, carrying a pen, boo\s and papers. His mantle of re-
serve has descended on him again; his inward rebellion is
only to be guessed at from his eyes, which she does not see.
He pulls the chair up to the table and sits opposite her. The
daylight begins to wane) Is this your essay on the Wealth of
Nations?
no
THE CORN IS GREEN
MORGAN
Yes.
MISS MOFFAT
(Reading briskly)
Say so and underline it. Nothing irritates examiners more
than that sort o vagueness. (She hands him the exercise
booty I couldn't work this sentence out.
MORGAN
"The eighteenth century was a cauldron. Vice and ele-
gance boiled to a simmer until the kitchen of society reeked
fulminously, and the smell percolated to the marble halls
above." (Hands paper bac'kj)
MISS MOFFAT
D'ye know what that means ?
MORGAN
Yes, Miss Moffat.
MISS MOFFAT
Because I don't. Clarify, my boy, clarify, and leave the rest
to Mrs. Henry Wood. . . . "Water" with two t* s . . . that's
a bad lapse. . . . The Adam Smith sentence was good. Origi-
nal, and clear as well. Seven out of ten, not bad, but not good
you must avoid long words until you know exactly what
they mean. Otherwise domino. . . . Your reading?
MORGAN
Burke's "Cause of the Present Discontents."
in
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS MOFFAT
Style?
MORGAN
His style appears to me ... as if there was too much of it.
MISS MOFFAT
His style struck me as florid.
MORGAN
His style struck me as florid.
MISS MOFFAT
Again.
MORGAN
His style struck me as florid.
MISS MOFFAT
Subject matter?
MORGAN
A sound argument, falsified by by the high color of the
sentiments,
MISS MOFFAT
Mmm. "The high color of the sentiments" . , . odd but
not too odd, good and stylish. . . . For next time. (Dictating
as MORGAN writes) Walpole and Sheridan as representatives
of their age; and no smelly cauldrons. (Opening another
booty By the way, next Tuesday I'm starting you on Greek.
MORGAN
(Looking up, feigning interest)
Oh, yes?
112
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS MQFFAT
(Subduing her excitement)
I am going to put you in for a scholarship to Oxford. (He
loo^s uf at her, arrested.)
MORGAN
Oxford? Where the lords go?
MISS MOFFAT
(Amused)
The same. I've made a simplified alphabet to begin with.
It's jolly interesting after Latin. . . . (The matter-of-factness
with which she is controlling her excitement over the scholar-
ship seems to gall him more and more; he watches her,
bitterly} Have a look at it by Tuesday, so we can make a good
start. Oh, and before we go on with the lesson, I've found the
nail file I mentioned. . . . (MORGAN slams a booty I'll show
you how to use it. I had them both here somewhere. . . .
MORGAN
(Quietly)
I shall not need a nail file in the coal mine.
MISS MOFFAT
In the what?
MORGAN
(Turns to her)
I am going back to the coal mine.
MISS MOFFAT
I don't understand you. Explain yourself.
"3
THE CORN IS GREEN
MORGAN
I do not want to learn Greek, nor to pronounce any long
English words, nor to keep my hands clean.
MISS MOFFAT
(Staggered)
What's the matter with you? Why not?
MORGAN
Because . . . because (Leans over, both hands on table) I
was born in a Welsh hayfield when my mother was helpin'
with the harvest and I always lived in a house with no stairs,
only a ladder and no water and until my brothers was
killed I never sleep except three in a bed. I know that is ter-
rible grammar but it is true.
MISS MOFFAT
What on earth has three in a bed got to do with learning
Greek?
MORGAN
It has a. lot! The last two years I have not had no proper
talk with English chaps in the mine because I was so busy
keepin' this old grammar in its place. Tryin' to better my-
self . . . Tryin' to better myself, the day and the night . . . !
You cannot take a nail file into the Gwesmor Arms public
bar!
MISS MOFFAT
My dear boy, file your nails at home! I never heard any-
thing so ridiculous. Besides, you don't go to the Gwesmor
Arms!
114
THE CORN IS GREEN
MORGAN
Yes, I do, I have been there every afternoon for a week,
spendin' your pocket money, and I have been there now, and
that is why I can speak my mind!
MISS MOFFAT
I had no idea that you felt like this.
MORGAN
Because you are not interested in me.
MISS MOFFAT
Not interested in you?
MORGAN
(Losing control)
How can you be interested in a machine that you put a
penny in and if nothing comes out you give it a good shake?
"Evans, write me an essay; Evans, get up and bow; Evans,
what is a subjunctive!" My name is Morgan Evans, and all
my friends call me Morgan, and if there is anything gets on
the wrong side of me it is callin' me Evans! . . . And do you
know what they call me in the village? Ci bach yr ysgol! The
schoolmistress's little dog! What has it got to do with you if
my nails are dirty? Mind your own business! (He buries his
head in his hands)
MISS MOFFAT
I never meant you to know this. I have spent money on you
I don't mind that, money ought to be spent. But time is dif-
ferent. Your life has not yet begun, mine is half over. And
when you're a middle-aged spinster, some folk say it's pretty
115
THE CORN IS GREEN
near finished. Two years is valuable currency. I have spent
two years on you. Even since that first day, the mainspring of
this school has been your career. Sometimes, in the middle
of the night, when I have been desperately tired, I have lain
awake, making plans. Large and small. Sensible and silly.
Plans, for you. And you tell me I have no interest in you. If
I say any more I shall start to cry; and I haven't cried since I
was younger than you are, and I'd never forgive you for that.
I am going for a walk. I don't like this sort of conversation;
please never mention it again. If you want to go on, be at
school tomorrow. (Going) If not, don't.
MORGAN
I don't want your money, and I don't want your time! . . .
I don't want to be thankful to no strange woman for any-
thing!
MISS MOFFAT
I don't understand you. I don't understand you at all.
(Taking her cloa\ that is hanging on door, she goes out by
the front door. MORGAN folds his arms, ta\es a drin\, futs
bottle on the table. There is a booJ^ there. He moves booJ^.
BESSIE comes in from the garden. She has fut her hair half up
and wears earrings.}
BESSIE
Hello! (She clutches her leg) Caught my knee climbin'
down the rainpipe, ooh. . . . (As he ta\es no notice, she
crosses to 'kitchen door) P'r'aps I'm invisible. . . . (She marches
into the 'kitchen, singing "Bell Bottom Trousers" and bangs
the door behind her. Far away, the sound of singing: Men re-
turning from the mine, harmonizing their familiar melody,
"Yr Hufen Melyn." BESSIE returns from the \itcheri) Mum's
116
THE CORN IS GREEN
gone out. (After a pause} Expect she's gone to tell Mrs. Rob-
erts about her meetin'. Though how she manages with Mrs.
Roberts knowin' no English an' deaf as well . . . (After a
pause*) Talking a lot, aren't I?
MORGAN"
Yes.
BESSIE
Well, I'm not deaf.
MORGAN
Been spyin'?
BESSIE
If people lock me in and take the key out of the keyhole,
they can't blame me for listenin' at it. Ooh, I think she's
wicked.
MORGAN
Mind your own business!
BESSIE
I won't. I like to know about everything; I like doin' all
the things I like; I like sweets, I don't care if it does make
me fat, and I love earrings. I like to shake my head like a
lady. . . . (The singing stops. A pause) It's funny. . . . We
never been by ourselves before. (She begins to sing in Welsh.
The tune is "Lliw Gwyn Rhosyn yr Haf") Didn't know I
knew Welsh, did you? . . . You like that song, don't you?
That's why I learnt it.
MORGAN
You are different when you sing.
117
THE CORN IS GREEN
BESSIE
Am I? ... What's this, medicine? (Picfa up rum bottle,
drinks* He takes bottle from her, ta^es a drin\ and puts it in
his pocket) Tastes like rubber. Nice, though. . . . You know
you was quite right to put her in her place. Clever chap like
you learnin' lessons off a woman!
MORGAN
That's right
BESSIE
(Soft, persuasive)
You don't 'ave to go to Oxford! Clever chap like you!
MORGAN
(In a whisper)
That's right. . . . (He turns slowly and loo\s at her.)
BESSIE
What a man wants isi a bit o' sympathy!
(He loo\s at her, his hand on the bac\ of the chair. It
is growing faintly darker. She laughs, and begins to
sing again; she turns, still singing, lool^s up at him,
and smiles. He pushes away the chair, seizes her with
violence, and pisses her passionately. Their arms en-
twine and the chair crashes to the floor.)
The curtain falls
118
ACT TWO
SCENE II
A morning in "November, three months later. The room
is much as it was; the fotted flants have been removed; the
daylight is so poor that the lamps are lit.
MRS. WATTY is carrying in from the kitchen a small table,
new and light. On it blotter, in\, pens, pencil, a duster and a
cup of tea. MISS RONBERRY is pushing the armchair in from
the study past the sofa into its old place, next to the isolated
MRS. WATTY
(Singing)
"I'm saved I am, I'm saved I am. . . ." (MRS. WATTY moves
the large table a bit, so as to get through, pic\s up small table,
places it well downstage) What would the armchair be for,
miss ?
MISS RONBERRY
The Squire's coming. He's invigilating. (She opens des\
drawer, and takes out package with sealed Oxford papers'.)
MRS. WATTY
What was that, please, miss ?
MISS RONBERRY
The Oxford people have appointed him and Miss Moffat to
watch Morgan Evans while he is sitting the scholarship, so
that he cannot cheat,
119
THE CORN IS GREEN
MRS. WATTY
What a shame. . . . (Still arranging furniture) You'd never
think it was nearly nine in the morning, would you?
MISS RONBERRY
It's stopped snowing.
MRS. WATTY
(Peering out of the window)
Only just. The milkman said the road was blocked down by
the bridge.
MISS RONBERRY
How terrible i Morgan couldn't get through!
MRS. WATTY
Countin' sheep all night, I was. (Picking up two envelopes
from the floor, near the front door) She didn't 'ave a wink
neither. I could 'ear her thinkin'.
MISS RONBERRY
It is a very important day for her.
MRS. WATTY
Looks like that one's Bessie. Would you mind?
MISS RONBERRY
That means Sarah the Post got through. . . .
MRS. WATTY
She'd come the other way, down the 'ill. . . .
120
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS RONBERRY
That's true . . . (Reading) "Dear Mum" to think I taught
her to write "Cheltenham is terrible. Can I have a shilling?
I do the steps. Madam is terrible. Your obedient girl."
MRS. WATTY
Obedient. (Laughs) I like that. . . . (Throwing the letter
into the waste fafer basket) She's been away three months
now, she ought to be gettin' used to it.
MISS RONBERRY
But do you not miss her?
MRS. WATTY
(Emphatically )
No! I don't like 'er, you know, never 'ave.
MISS RONBERRY
But, Mrs. Watty, your own daughter!
MRS. WATTY
I know, but I've never been able to take to 'er. First time I
saw 'er, I said, "No." (Going) With 'er dad being foreign,
you see.
MISS RONBERRY
But couldn't your husband have taken her abroad to his
own family?
MRS. WATTY
Oh, my 'usband was quite different. British to the core.
(She goes into the 'kitchen. MISS RONBERRY blinds after her, and
121
THE CORN IS GREEN
places writing pad on the little table. MISS MOFFAT comes slowly
downstairs. She is alert, but more subdued than the audience
has yet seen her. MISS RONBERRY ta^es up the cup of tea, and
watches her apprehensively.}
MISS MOFFAT
It's stopped snowing.
MISS RONBERRY
It's a white world, as they say ... Do you think he will
get through the snow?
MISS MOFFAT
This morning he would get through anything.
MISS RONBERRY
I am so glad. I thought perhaps he he had not been work-
ing satisfactorily. . . .
MISS MOFFAT
At ten o'clock last night I had to take his books away from
him.
MISS RONBERRY
I am glad.
MISS MOFFAT
I hope he won't get wet he must not (Pic^s up string,
plays with it) be upset in any way. What made you think he
wasn't working well ?
MISS RONBERRY
Nothing, only . . . you remember the night you went for
that long walk, when he might be going back to the mine?
122
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS MOFFAT
(After a pause)
Yes?
MISS RONBERRY
The next morning he started studying again, and yet it
seemed so different.
MISS MOFFAT
How?
MISS RONBERRY
Almost strained . . . what a silly thing to say ... I mean,
as you did not say anything more about the mine . . .
MISS MOFFAT
He didn't say any more himself. He just turned up. I didn't
embrace him on both cheeks, but I said "Righto." Since which
time, he has never stopped working.
MISS RONBERRY
I am so glad . . . Oh, this arrived from the Penlan Town
Hall! It must be his birth certificate. . . .
MISS MOFFAT
Good. ... I must send it off to the President of Trinity.
Rather a nervous post-mortem from him last night; two
pages to ask if the youngster's legitimate. (Opens envelope,
loo\s at birth certificate) Thank Heaven he is. And no con-
viction for drunkenness; references have been spotless. That
will help, I hope,
MISS RONBERJR.Y
Would it not be splended if he won!
123
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS MOFFAT
{After a pause)
Not very likely, I am afraid. (Moving about, nervously}
The syllabus rather attaches importance to general knowledge
of the academic sort. His is bound to be patchy on the ex-
uberant side I have had to force it; two years is not enough
even for him. If he checks himself, and does not start telling
them what they ought to think of Milton, with fair luck he
might stand a chance. He will have some pretty strong public-
school candidates against him, of course. Bound to. It depends
on how much the examiners will appreciate a highly original
intelligence.
MISS RONBERRY
(Seated on couch)
But wouldn't it be exciting!
MISS MOFFAT
Yes, it would. People run down the Universities, and al-
ways will, but it would be a wonderful thing for him. It
would be a wonderful thing for rural education all over the
country.
MISS RONBERRY
And most of all, it would be a wonderful thing for you!
MISS MOFFAT
(Almost soliloquizing)
I suppose so ... It is odd to have spent so many hours with
another human being, in the closest intellectual communion
because it has been that. I know every trick and twist of that
124
THE CORN IS GREEN
brain of his, exactly where it will falter and where it will
gallop ahead of me and yet not to know him at all. I woke
up in the middle of the night thinking of Henry the Eighth.
I have a feeling there may be a question about the old boy
and the Papacy. (Crosses to bookshelves. Ta\es boo\ from
shelf and maJ^es notations on a piece of writing paper') 111
cram one or two facts into him, the last minute . . - (Sud-
denly, in a sob, with all the inward conviction of which she
is capable) Oh, God, he must win it ... (MRS. WATTY comes
in from the tytchen, carrying a steaming cup of tea) He
must.
MRS. WATTY
(Hands her cup of tea)
Cup a tea! Now, ma'am, don't get in a pucker! Six more
Saturday mornin's like this in the next 'alf-year, (Gets MISS
RONBERRYV cup from table) remember!
MISS MOFFAT
The first paper is the important one I expect we'll get
more used to the others. . . .
MISS RONBERRY
Suppose the Squire doesn't come!
MISS MOFFAT
He will. He has got to the point of looking on the lad as a
racehorse.
MISS RONBERRY
You don't think the snow might deter him?
125
THE CORN IS GREEN
MRS. WATTY
I just seed 'is nibs' gardener clearin' a way from the gates.
Shame the red carpet gettin' so wet.
(MRS. WATTY goes bac\ into the fyitchen.)
MISS RONBERRY
Surely it is getting brighter this side . . . (Loo\s out of the
window) Oh, I can see him! Morgan, I mean!
MISS MOFFAT
Can you?
MISS RONBERRY
Coming up the Nant, do you see? Ploughing through!
MISS MOFFAT
What is the time? (Loo\s at her breast watch.)
MISS RONBERRY
Ten minutes to!
MISS MOFFAT
(Sitting at her desTt)
He will have just two minutes . . . (A l^noc\ at the front
door) Good. There's the Squire . . .
MISS RONBERRY
(Running to the door)
He is as excited as any of us ... (BESSIE enters the room,
followed by MR. JONES) Bessie . . . But it cannot be you, your
mother has just received . . .
126
THE CORN IS GREEN
BESSIE
I left the same day I posted it. (She is shabbily dressed, in
semi-grown-up fashion, and wears a cloa\. Her manner is
staccato, nervy and defiant. MR. JONES closes door, leaves
BESSIE'S bag near des\+ She faces MISS MOFFAT, who stares at
her, puzzled.)
MISS MOFFAT
This is unexpected.
BESSIE
Isn't it just? I have been travellin' all night, quite a wreck.
I woke Mr. Jones up and he got the stationmaster to drive us
over in his trap, in the snow nice, wasn't it? (She is trying
not to be frightened, and not succeeding. The conversation
from now on quickens and grows more nervous.)
MISS MOFFAT
You have arrived at an inconvenient time.
(MISS RONBERRY crosses Left above table.}
BESSIE
Fancy.
MISS MOFFAT
Have you come to see your mother?
BESSIE
No. (She plucks up courage and sits suddenly in the arm-
chair. MISS MOFFAT frowns and rises.)
MISS MOFFAT
Then why are you here?
127
THE CORN IS GREEN
BESSIE
Questions and answers, just like school again!
MISS MOFFAT
Why have you brought this girl here this morning?
MR. JONES
I did not bring her, Miss Moffat, she brought me. . . .
MISS MOFFAT
Whom have you come to see?
BESSIE
You.
MISS MOFFAT
Me? (BESSIE docs not spea^) I can give you exactly one
minute of my time. (Pause) Is it money? (As BESSIE does not
answer, impatiently to the others) Will you wait in the study?
(MR. JONES -follows MISS RONBERRY into the study} One min-
ute. . . . Quickly!
BESSIE
Why?
MISS MOFFAT
Morgan Evans is sitting for his Oxford examination here
this morning.
BESSIE
Well, 'e needn't.
MISS MOFFAT
What do you mean?
128
THE CORN IS GREEN
BESSIE
Because he won't ever be goin* to Oxford.
MISS MOFFAT
Why not?
BESSIE
Because there's goin' to be a little stranger. (A pause) I'm
going to have a little stranger. (She begins to whimper into
her handkerchief, half acting, half nerves and excitement.
MISS MOFFAT stares at her.)
MISS MOFFAT
You're lying.
BESSIE
Doctor Brett, The Firs, Cheltenham . . . And i you don't
believe it's Morgan Evans, you ask 'im about that night you
locked me up the night you had the words with him!
MISS MOFFAT
I see ... (With a sudden cry) Why couldn't I have seen
before! (Her eyes rest on the examination table. She collects
herself, desperately) Does he know?
BESSIE
I've come to tell 'im! I was ever so upset, of course, and now
I've lost me place. Oh, she was artful. He'll have to marry
me, or I'll show him up, 'cause I must give the little stranger
a name. . . .
129
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS MOFFAT
(Exasperated beyond endurance}
Stop saying "little stranger"! I you must have a baby, then
call it a baby! . . . Have you told anybody?
BESSIE
Mr. Jones, that's all. . . .
MISS RONBERRY
(Peering timidly through the study door)
The Squire is coming up the road! (She goes bacJ^ into the
study.)
BESSIE
111 wait here for him.
MISS MOFFAT
For the next three hours, he must not be disturbed. You
are not going to see him . . .
BESSIE
You can't bully me, the way I am! (Rising, and facing her
across the examination table, the resentment of two years
pouring out f real hysteria this time) 'Asn't sunk in yet, 'as it?
I'm teaching you something, am I ? You didn't know things
like that went on, did you? Why? You couldn't see what was
goin' on under your nose, 'cause you're too busy managin'
everything Well, you can't manage him any longer, 'cause
he's got to manage me now, the way I am, he's got to
130
THE CORN IS GREEN
(MR. JONES pofes his head round the study door; he is
in a state of panic, MISS RONBERRY hovers behind
him.)
MR. JONES
Morgan Evans has turned the corner up the hill . . .
MISS RONBERRY
So there isn't much time!
(MR. JONES -follows MISS RONBERRY bac\ into the study.}
MISS MOFFAT
I'm afraid I am going to do a little managing now. You
are going into the kitchen, where your mother will make you
breakfast; you will then lie down, and as soon as this session
is finished we will go upstairs and talk it all over when we
are a little calmer.
(A t^noc\ at the -front door.)
BESSIE
He's here! I got to see him! (BESSIE starts up. MISS MOFFAT
detains her.)
MISS MOFFAT
If you try and disobey me, I shall not answer for the con-
sequences. (Holds her wrist.)
BESSIE
(Cowed)
You wouldn't dare lay a finger on me ...
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS MOFFAT
Oh, yes, I would. If you attempt to stay in this room, or to
blab to anybody about this before we have had that talk-
even your mother ... I am in a pretty nervous state myself,
this morning, and I shall strike you so hard that I shall prob-
ably kill you. ... I mean every word of that.
{Another %noc\ f more impatient. She quells BESSIE
with her loo\; crosses and holds of en the "kitchen
door.}
BESSIE
(Laughs)
I don't mind. Three hours'll go soon enough. (She goes
into the 'kitchen. MISS MOFFAT shuts the door after her,
straightens herself, and opens the front door. The SQUIRE
enters, in Inverness cape and hat, stamping the snow from
his boots; he carries several periodicals, chiefly sporting and
dramatic. The rest of the scene is played very quic\ly.)
MISS MOFFAT
(Ta^es his coat and hat)
So very sorry how kind of you such a dreadful day . . .
(Hangs SQUIRE'S coat on door.)
THE SQUIRE
Not at all, Mistress Pedagogue, anything for a lark. . . .
Glad it isn't me, what . . . ? I've got a spiffy bit of news for
you.
MISS MOFFAT
Yes?
132
THE CORN IS GREEN
THE SQUIRE
I've bought the barn from Sir Herbert, and we can move
the whole shoot next door by March. What d'ye think?
MISS MOFFAT
Wonderful . . .
THE SQUIRE
We can knock a door straight through here to the barn
aren't ye pleased about it?
MISS MOFFAT
(Going to the desf^ f hardly aware of what she is doing,
as MISS RONBERRY runs in jrom the study)
Yes, but you know, this examination, (Knoc\ at front door)
rather worrying . . .
MISS RONBERRY
Good morning, Squire! Terrible weather . . .
THE SQUIRE
Beastly
(MISS RONBERRY opens the -front door and lets MORGAN
in. She closes the door before she ta\es his overcoat,
cap and muffler. He has been hurrying, but he is
quiet and calm.)
MISS MOFFAT
Wet?
MORGAN
No, thank you. Good day, sir ...
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS RONBERRY
Let me take your things . . .
MORGAN
Thank you . . .
MISS MOFFAT
Before I open the papers, I have a feeling they may bring
up Henry the Eighth. Memorize these two facts, will you?
(Hands him a paper.)
MISS RONBERRY
(Puts down a sprig of white heather)
White heather just a thought! (She runs into the study.)
MORGAN
Thank you . . .
THE SQUIRE
Good luck, my boy.
MORGAN
Thank you, sir ...
THE SQUIRE
Glad it isn't me!
(MORGAN hands her the paper.)
MR. JONES
(Pops his head round the study door)
Fob llwyddiant, ymachgeni!
MORGAN
Diolch
THE CORN IS GREEN
(MISS MOFFAT throws paper in the basket. MR. JONES
goes bac\ into the study. MORGAN sits at the tablet)
MISS MOFFAT
Name and particulars, to save time. And don't get ex-
uberant.
MORGAN
No.
MISS MOFFAT
Or illegible.
MORGAN
No.
(Pause.)
THE SQUIRE
But aren't you going to wish my little protege good
fortune ?
MISS MOFFAT
(After a pause, to MORGAN)
Good luck.
MORGAN
Thank you.
(The doc\ begins to stride nine.)
MISS MOFFAT
Ready? (MORGAN nods. She cuts the envelope and places
the examination paper in front of him. She loo\s at the
duplicate paper of questions, smiles') Henry the Eighth!
135
THE CORN IS GREEN
(She sits in the armchair. The SQUIRE embarks on his periodi-
cal. MORGAN begins to write, MISS MOFFAT raises her head,
loof^s anxiously toward the kitchen, then steadfastly at MOR-
GAN, her lip trembling. A pause. The only sound is the scratch
of a pen.)
The curtain falls slowly
ACT THREE
ACT THREE
SCENE: An afternoon in July. Seven months later.
The school has been moved next door, and the room is
much less crowded; the small table is bac\ in the window
recess, the armchair is in its old position; the large table,
however, is no longer behind the sofa with its chair, its place
being tal^en by three small school des\s facing the front
door; between the front door and the bay window a blacJ^-
board on its easel faces the audience at an angle, with ''Eliza-
beth, fynown as Good Q. Bess" written on it in bloc\ letters.
MR. JONES stands in command beside the blackboard. In
two of the school desJ(s sit IDWAL and ROBBART, each poring
over his slate. On the settle sit the SQUIRE, downstage, his
arms folded li\e a pupil, his eyes fixed on MR. JONES, and next
to him OLD TOM, upstage, laboriously copying the inscription
on to his slate. MR. JONES crosses to IDWAL'S des\, then to ROB-
BART'S des\; loo\s at their wor\.
OLD TOM
(Muttering, as he writes}
Elissabeth known as what in goodness is a "k" doin'
there, that iss a pussell for me . . .
MR. JONES
a l wandered lonely as a cloud." From "The Daffodils," by
Wordsworth.
139
THE CORN IS GREEN
(The boys scratch busily. The SQUIRE begins to nod
sleepily. MISS RONBERRY hurries in from the garden.)
MISS RONBERRY
What is the capital of Sweden?
MR. JONES
Stockholm.
MISS RONBERRY
Thank you. (She hurries bac\ into the garden.)
OLD TOM
Please, sir, how many 1's in "daffodils"?
THE SQUIRE
Damned if I know.
(JOHN OWEN comes in by the study door.)
JOHN
Please, Mistar Jones, Form Two Arithmetic Report Miss
Moffat says will you come in school with it. (He goes bacT^.
MR. JONES follows him through the study after getting boo\
and papers from the sideboard. The SQUIRE snores.)
ROBBART
Mae o'n cysgu. Tyd. Idwal . . .
OLD TOM
Plenty Welsh at home, not in the class, please, by request,
scoundrels and notty boys!
140
THE CORN IS GREEN
IDWAL
(Rises)
Squire iss 'avin' a snore. Nai ddangos rwbeth ichi (He
rises, runs to the blackboard, ta^es the chalT^ and the duster,
and swiftly rubs out and adds to the inscription till it reads:
"NO . . . GOOD . . . BESSIE^ The SQUIRE grunts. As he
strides the period the SQUIRE sticks his foot out. He says
"Na-fe.")
MR. JONES
(Returning)
Now history. (Stumbles over the SQUIRE'S foot. Crosses to
blackboard) Excuse me . . . Elizabeth . . . (He sees the in-
scription and stops short. He turns on the others, grave and
perturbed) Who did this?
IDWAL
Please, Mr. Jones, perhaps it iss some terrible dunce that
want to know what iss Bessie Watty been doin' the last few
months.
(A pause.)
MR. JONES
Whoever it was . . . (SQUIRE rises) I am going to cane
him! It was not you, sir, by any chance?
THE SQUIRE
Not guilty. . . . Bessie Watty? Little Cockney thing? Nice
ankles ?
141
THE CORN IS GREEN
MR. JONES
I do not know, sir ... (Boys snicker) Silence, boys!
Where is my duster?
(SQUIRE goes to window and loo\s out.)
THE SQUIRE
Still no sign of him.
MR. JONES
You mean Morgan Evans, sir? (Boys loo\ up) He is not
expected before the train leaving Oxford half -past one . . .
THE SQUIRE
There's a sporting chance the Viva finished yesterday, and
I sent the wagonette to meet the one-ten.
MR. JONES
Do you think that he may know the result when he
arrives ?
THE SQUIRE
I doubt it. Miss Moffat said well hear by letter in a day or
two. . . . (Rising restlessly and going toward the front door)
Think I'll propel the old pins down the highway, just in
case . . .
IDWAL
Please, sir, what sort of a place is Oxford?
THE SQUIRE
Dunno, I'm sure. Cambridge myself. (He goes. Leaves door
open.)
142
THE CORN IS GREEN
MR. JONES
(At blackboard)
Now history. Repeat after me ...
H>WAL
Please, Mr. Jones, tell us about Bessie Watty?
MR. JONES
If you are kept in tomorrow, I will give you religion. Re-
peat after me ... (The school bell rings) Dismiss! (ROBBART
rises and straps booJ{s. MR. JONES goes to desJ^ and tidies
papers. SARAH hurries in from the front door. She is dressed
in her best f in the traditional Welsh peasant costume with a
steeple hat)
SARAH
Please, sir, have you got my father (Seeing OLD TOM)
tiddona, 'nhad, ma'dy frwas di'n oeri . . .
OLD TOM
English, daughter, in the class, pliss!
SARAH
You are an old soft, your porridge it iss gettin* cold and
you have not got your sleep . . .
OLD TOM
But I got my Queen Elizabeth . . .
(SARAH ta\es his slate, puts it on ROBBART'S desi(.)
143
THE CORN IS GREEN
SARAH
And in the mornin' you got your rheumatics come on!
(SARAH helps OLD TOM to rise. MISS RONBERRY comes in from
the garden?)
ROBBART
Sarah Pugh, what you all clobbered up for?
SARAH
Because for Morgan Evans.
MR. JONES
Is there some news?
MISS RONBERRY
About Morgan? Oh, quickly!
SARAH
Not yet, Mistar Jones. But when it comes, I know it iss
good news, so what do I do? I open the dresser, out the
lavender bags and into my Sundays! Home (Starts to door
with OLD TOM), dada, for Sundays . . .
MR. JONES
Before we have definite news, that is unwise . . .
SARAH
John Goronwy Jones, pliss, sir, you are an old soft. Every-
body is ready to meet him by the Nant! The grocer got his
fiddle . . .
IDWAL
And William Williams the public got his cornet 1
144
THE CORN IS GREEN
ROBBART
And with me on me mouth organ . . . (Strikes chord on
mouth organ.)
SARAH
And me singin'!
ROBBART
Tyd, Idwal . (He runs out by the front door, -followed by
IDWAL.)
MISS RONBERRY
Perhaps preparing for news to be good means that it
will be.
MR. JONES
Everything is preordained. Morgan Evans has either won
the scholarship, or lost it.
MISS RONBERRY
Let us all say together, "Morgan Evans has won the scholar-
ship!"
ALL
(Except MR. JONES)
"Morgan Evans has won the scholarship!"
SARAH
(To OLD TOM)
Tiddana, 'nhad
OLD TOM
I never got a letter yet, and nobody never put Sundays on
for me. . . . (He goes out by the front door. SARAH starts to
go. MISS RONBERRY'S eye catches the blackboard.)
*45
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS RONBERRY
"No . . . (SARAH comes bac\) good . . . Bessie." Good
gracious!
MR. JONES
Where is my duster? (Loo^s behind blackboard.)
MISS RONBERRY
What does that mean?
SARAH
Bessie Watty. Miss Ronberry, where is she?
(MR. JONES finds duster at IDWAL'S des%)
MISS RONBERRY
I don't know, dear.
SARAH
Miss Moffat she hears from her, in my post office. (JONES
erases blackboard) We wass all wonderin'. (She goes out by
the front door.)
MISS RONBERRY
Well, I have been wondering too! She came back that
morning and just went away again. Morgan Evans was tell-
ing me only the day he left for Oxford that he didn't even
see her. Where is she?
MR. JONES
It is more important to know if Morgan Evans has won
or not.
MISS RONBERRY
I know ... If he hasn't, it will break her heart.
146
THE CORN IS GREEN
MR. JONES
Would she feel it so keen as all that?
MISS RONBERRY
I used not to think so, but since that day they have been so
much better friends, it has been a pleasure to hear them con-
versing. Perhaps it is the strain of all these examinations . . .
(MISS MOFFAT comes in -from the study with exercise
boo\, chuckling.)
MISS MOFFAT
Gwyneth Thomas, the plasterer's eldest, essay on Knowl-
edge. "Be good, sweet maid, and let who will be clever" I
wonder if the Reverend Kingsley had any idea what a smack
in the eye that was for lady teachers? And then Gwyneth
Thomas starts (Reading) : "It is not nice to know too much,
I wish to be like Miss Ronberry, Miss Moffat is different, she
knows everything." Any news?
MR. JONES
Not yet.
MISS MOFFAT
I thought not. . . . (A pause) Where is the Squire?
MR. JONES
Gone to see if there is any sign.
MISS MOFFAT
Thank the Lord. That man is really becoming a nuisance.
He gave up Henley to be here this week. Did you know?
147
THE CORN IS GREEN
MR. JONES
You do not appear nervous?
MISS MOFFAT
I am past being nervous. If he has won, I shan't believe it.
Flatly.
MISS RONBERRY
And if he has lost?
MISS MOFFAT
If he has lost . . . (After a pause} We must proceed as if
nothing had happened. The sun rises and sets every day, and
while it does we have jolly well got to revolve round it; the
time to sit up and take notice will be the day it decides not
to appear. In the meantime, Mr. Jones, your report is on your
desk. Miss Ronberry, Form Two are waiting for your music
like a jungle of hungry parakeets.
MISS RONBERRY
Yes, Miss Moffat
(They retire meekly through the study. MISS MOFFAT is
done. She loo^s at her watch; her armor loosens
perceptibly; she is on edge and apprehensive. She
goes toward the stairs, but before she reaches them
the garden door opens suddenly and MORGAN appears.
He wears a new dar\ suit, carries a travelling bag
and his cap, and looJ{s dusty and tired. His manner
is excited and unstable; he is alternately eager and
intensely depressed. She stares at him, not daring to
148
THE CORN IS GREEN
MORGAN
I caught the early train. I knew they would all be watching
for me, so I got out at Llanmorfedd and got a lift to Gwaeny-
gam.
MISS MOFFAT
Does that mean . . . ?
MORGAN
Oh, no news. Except that I am not hopeful.
MISS MOFFAT
Why not?
MORGAN
They talked to me for one hour at the Viva . . .
MISS MOFFAT
That doesn't mean anything. Go on.
MORGAN
They jumped down hard on the New Testament question.
As you said they would. . . . You are very pale.
MISS MOFFAT
Better than a raging fever. Go on.
1 MORGAN
I spent five minutes explaining why Saint Paul sailed from
a town three hundred miles inland.
MISS MOFFAT
Oh, dear. (Their manner together has changed since we
149
THE CORN IS GREEN
last saw them together. They are hardly at all teacher and
pupil, superior and inferior, adult and child. They are more
li\e two friends held solidly by a bond unsentimental and un-
self -conscious. MORGAN'S English has immensely improved,
and he expresses himself with ease.) Parnell?
MORGAN
Parnell . . . (Smiles) Oh, yes ... I was going to stick up
for the old chap, but when they started off with "that fellow
Parnell," I told the tale against him for half an hour. I wasn't
born a Welshman for nothing.
MISS MOFFAT
Ha . . And the French?
MORGAN
Not good. I said "naturellement" to everything, but it didn't
fit every time.
MISS MOFFAT
And the Greek verbs?
MORGAN
They were sarcastic.
MISS MOFFAT
Did the President send for you?
MORGAN
I had half an hour with him . . .
MISS MOFFAT
You did?
150
THE CORN IS GREEN
MORGAN
Yes, but so did the other nine candidates! He was a very
kind and grand old gentleman sitting in a drawing room the
size of Penlan Town Hall. I talked about religion, the same
as you said . . .
MISS MOFFAT
(Correcting him, mechanically)
Just as you advised . . .
MORGAN
Just as you advised. He asked me if I had ever had strong
drink, and I looked him straight in the eye and said "No."
MISS MOFFAT
Oh!
MORGAN
I was terrible terribly nervous. My collar stud flew off,
and I had to hold on to my collar with one hand, and he did
not seem impressed with me at all. . . . He was very curious
about you. (Rises) Did you know there was an article in the
Morning Post about the school ?
MISS MOFFAT
Was there? . . . But what else makes you despondent?
MORGAN
The other candidates. They appeared to me brilliant. I had
never thought they would be, somehow! Two from Eton and
one from Harrow one of them very rich. I had never thought
a scholarship man might be rich. He had his own servant.
151
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS MOFFAT
Gosh!
MORGAN
And the servant looked so like my father I thought it was
at first. . . . And, as I was leaving, the examiners appeared
to be sorry for me in some way, and I received the impression
that I had failed. I ...
MISS MOFFAT
When shall we know?
MORGAN
The day after tomorrow. They are writing to you.
MISS MOFFAT
The villagers are all in their best, and talking about a holi-
day tomorrow. It is very stupid of them, because if you have
failed it will make you still more sick at heart . . .
MORGAN
If I have failed? (In sudden desperation) Don't speak
about it!
MISS MOFFAT
But we must! You faced the idea the day you left for
Oxford . . .
MORGAN
I know, but I have been to Oxford, and come back, since
then! I have come back from the world! Since the day I was
born, I have been a prisoner behind a stone wall, and now
somebody has given me a leg-up to have a look at the othpr
152
THE CORN IS GREEN
side. . . . They cannot drag me back again, they cannot. They
must give me a push and send me over!
MISS MOFFAT
I've never heard you talk so much since I've known you.
MORGAN
That is just it! I can talk, now! The three days I have been
there, I have been talking my head off!
MISS MOFFAT
Ha! If three days at Oxford can do that to you, what would
you be like at the end of three years ?
MORGAN
That's just it again. It would be everything I need, every-
thing! Starling and I spent three hours one night discussin'
the law Starling, you know, the brilliant one. . . . The
words came pouring out of me all the words that I had
learnt and written down and never spoken. I suppose I was
talking nonsense, but I was at least holding a conversation! I
suddenly realized that I had never done it before I had
never been able to do it. (With a strong Welsh accent) "How
are you, Morgan? Nice day, Mr. Jones! Not bad for the
harvest." A vocabulary of twenty words; all the thoughts
that you have given to me were being stored away as if they
were always going to be useless locked up and rotting away
a lot of questions with nobody to answer them, a lot of
statements with nobody to contradict them. . . , And there
I was with Starling, nineteen to the dozen. I came out of his
THE CORN IS GREEN
rooms that night,, and I walked down the High. That's their
High Street, you know.
MISS MOFFAT
(Nodding, drinking in the torrent with the most in-
tense pleasure}
Yes^ yes. . . .
MORGAN
I looked up, and there was a moon behind Magd Maud-
lin. Not the same moon I have seen over the Nant, a different
face altogether. Everybody seemed to be walking very fast,
with their gowns on, in the moonlight. The bells were ring-
ing, and I was walking faster than anybody and I felt -well,
the same as on the rum in the old days!
MISS MOFFAT
Go on.
MORGAN
All of a sudden, with one big rush, against that moon, and
against that High Street I saw this room; you and me sitting
here studying, and all those books and everything I have
ever learnt from those books, and from you, was lighted up
like a magic lantern: Ancient Rome, Greece, Shakespeare,
Carlyle, Milton. . . . Everything had a meaning, because I
was in a new world my world! And so it came to me why
you worked like a slave to make me ready for this scholar-
ship. .(^Lamdy) I've finished,
MISS MOFFAT
I didn't want you to stop.
154
THE CORN IS GREEN
MORGAN
I had not been drinking.
MISS MOFFAT
I know.
MORGAN
I can talk to you too, now.
MISS MOFFAT
Yes. I'm glad.
(The SQUIRE comes in from the front door. MORGAN
rises.)
THE SQUIRE
No sign of the eller-me-lad, dang it ... (Hangs hat on
door) Evans! (Goes to MORGAN, shades hands) There you
are!
MORGAN
Good day, sir.
THE SQUIRE
Well?
MORGAN
They are sending the result through the post.
THE SQUIRE
The devil they are. (To MISS MOFFAT, as he sits in arm-
chair) D'ye know I am finding this waiting a definite strain ?
(MR. JONES runs in from the study, stops at foot of
stairs.)
155
THE CORN IS GREEN
MR. JONES
Somebody said they had seen Morgan . . .
MORGAN
Day after tomorrow.
MR. JONES
Oh
THE SQUIRE
Examiners all right, my boy?
MORGAN
Rather sticky, sir.
THE SQUIRE
Lot of old fogies, I expect. Miss Moffat, I told you you
ought to have made inquiries at the other place. How-
ever . . .
(MISS RONBERRY runs in from the study.)
MISS RONBERRY
Somebody said they had seen . . .
THE SQUIRE AND MR. JONES
The day after tomorrow!
MISS RONBERRY
Oh . . . How are you, Morgan, dear . . . ?
MR. JONES
(Wandering out to the porch)
The suspense is terrible.
156
THE CORN IS GREEN
THE SQUIRE
I know.
MR. JONES
Even the little children are worrying about (He stops
short; he has seen somebody coming down the village street;
he loo\s again, doubtfully; starts, then peers anxiously into
the room. Everybody is preoccupied. He comes into the room,
shuts the door t and stands a moment with his bac\ to if)
Morgan, my boy, are you not exhausted after your journey?
Would you not like something to eat?
MORGAN
I am rather hungry, yes ...
MISS MOFFAT
But how stupid of me! Watty will boil you an egg . . .
Come along . . .
MORGAN
(Rising)
Thank you. Excuse me ... (He follows MISS MOFFAT out.)
MISS MOFFAT
(As she goes into the J^itchen)
Did they spot the Dry den howler?
MORGAN
No.
(MR. JONES goes to the J^itchen door and closes it after
them.)
THE CORN IS GREEN
THE SQUIRE
You seemed very anxious to get 'em out of the room.
What's the matter . . . ?
(The front door opens and BESSIE wal\s in. She has
completely changed; she might be ten years older.
Her hair is up; she wears a cheaply smart costume }
with a cape, and loo\s dazzlingly pretty in a loose
opulent style. Her whole personality has blossomed.
A pause. They stare at her.)
BESSIE
Hallo!
THE SQUIRE
How d'ye do . . . ?
BESSIE
I'm very well indeed, thanks, and how are you, blooming ?
(Her accent is nearer the ladylike than it has been yet.)
THE SQUIRE
Yes, thanks . . . What is this?
MISS RONBERRY
I really couldn't say ... Good gracious, it's Bessie W
BESSIE
Right first time. Hello, Miss Ronberry, how's geography,
the world still goin' round in circles ? Hello, Mr. Jones, flirty
as ever?
158
THE CORN IS GREEN
THE SQUIRE
And to what do we owe this honor?
BESSIE
Well, it's like this . . .
MR. JONES
(Desperately}
Miss Ronberry, will you please return to your class . . . ?
MISS RONBERRY
They are quite safe. I left Mary Davies in charge . . .
BESSIE
No, you don't. We've had too many secrets as it is.
MR. JONES
Three days ago she sent money to you. Did you not receive
the letter?
BESSIE
Yes, I did, and all the others, till I was sick of 'em.
THE SQUIRE
What is all this?
BESSIE
Last week I was glancing through the Mid-Wales Gazette,
and I'm here to congratulate a certain young gent in case he
has won that scholarship.
MR. JONES
Oh!
159
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS RONBERRY
But what has that got to do with you?
BESSIE
You see, Miss, it's like this . . .
MR. JONES
(In a last effort to stop her)
Don't say it don't say it!
BESSIE
Four weeks yesterday, I had a baby.
(A pause. MISS RONBERRY and THE SQUIRE stare at her.
MR. JONES gives a sigh of impotent despair.)
THE SQUIRE
You had a what?
BESSIE
A baby. Seven pounds thirteen ounces.
THE SQUIRE
Good God, how ghastly.
MR. JONES
(Turns to her)
It is a disgustin' subject and . . .
BESSIE
It isn't disgusting at all. I I had a wedding ring you'd
think it was sweet.
160
THE CORN IS GREEN
(MRS. WATTY hurries in from the tytchen.)
MRS. WATTY
Morgan Evans's luggage. Excuse me, sir. (Catches sight of
the SQUIRE'S serious face} Oh! . . . (Fearfully) Any news?
THE SQUIRE
Well, yes
MRS. WATTY
Bessie! (Drops the bag in her excitement) My, you do look
a dollymop! Excuse me, sir ...
THE SQUIRE
Say anything you like . . .
MRS. WATTY
Where d'you get them bracelets?
BESSIE
Present.
MRS. WATTY
Oh, that's all right. Where 'ave you been, you madam?
BESSIE
Turnin' you into a granny.
MRS. WATTY
A gra (Both laugh) Well, fancy I
(MISS MOFFAT comes in from the fytchen.)
161
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS MOFFAT
And I should try and have a sleep if I were you . . .
MRS. WATTY
You could 'ave knocked me down with a feather!
BESSIE
Hello. (MISS MOFFAT stops short) I've just been telling them
you-know-what. (It is plain she is no longer afraid of MISS
MOFFAT. The latter loo\s from one to the other, helplessly.}
THE SQUIRE
And now I think it's time you told us who the fellow is.
I am going to take drastic proceedings . . .
MRS. WATTY
That's right, dear. Who is it?
BESSIE
Well, as a matter of fact . . .
MISS MOFFAT
(With a cry]
No! I'll pay you anything . . . Anything!
BESSIE
It's no good, miss. (MISS MOFFAT turns away) It's Morgan
Evans.
(A pause)
162
THE CORN IS GREEN
THE SQUIRE
What!
MISS RONBERRY
(Dazed)
I don't believe it ...
MRS. WATTY
(Really upset, to MISS MOFFAT)
Oh, ma'am.
MISS MOFFAT
I've been dreading this, for months. In a terrible way it's a
relief.
BESSIE
Bamboozlin' me every week he was in the gutter!
MISS MOFFAT
Lies, all lies, and I was glad to be telling them . . .
MISS RONBERRY
(Suddenly articulate)
I can't go on listening! I can't bear it! It all comes of
meddling with this teaching. She was in my class . . . What
would Papa have said! This horrible unnatural happen-
ing . . .
MISS MOFFAT
(Exasperated beyond endurance)
Don't talk nonsense! It isn't horrible, and it isn't unnatural!
On the contrary, it's nature giving civilization a nasty tweak
of the nose. The schoolmistress has learnt a lesson, but it's a
little late now.
THE CORN IS GREEN
BESSIE
(Rising)
Where is he?
MRS. WATTY
Over my dead body, my girl . . .
BESSIE
She's right, mum, it's too late. I got a four-weeks-old baby,
kickin', healthy and hungry, and I haven't got a husband to
keep him, so his father's got to turn into my husband. That's
only fair, isn't it?
THE SQUIRE
(Rises)
I'm sorry, Miss Moffat, but I'm inclined to agree . . .
BESSIE
I'll call him ...
MR. JONES
There is no need to call him!
THE SQUIRE
What's the matter with you?
MR. JONES
I am sorry to say that I have a strong feeling of affection
for this young woman.
BESSIE
(Sitting again on the sofa, amused)
Oh, yes I've got the face of an angel, haven't I?
164
THE CORN IS GREEN
MR. JONES
And I am willing to do my duty by rehabilitating her in
wedlock, and bestowing on the infant every advantage by
bringing it up a Baptist.
THE SQUIRE
Are you serious?
MR. JONES
I am always serious.
BESSIE
(To MISS MOFFAT)
You'd like that, wouldn't you?
MRS. WATTY
Now we're not pretendin 5 it's a windfall, but for a girl
who's took the wrong turnin' it's a present! And you'd *ave
your own way in everything wouldn't she, sir?
MR. JONES
(Eagerly)
Of course . . .
MRS. WATTY
Well, will you?
BESSIE
No. I won't. I'd like to oblige . , . (Laughs) but, really,
I couldn't! (MR. JONES turns away) Besides, my friend would
be furious.
MRS. WATTY
(Clutching at straws)
Your friend ?
165
THE CORN IS GREEN
BESSIE
Ever such a nice gentleman, sporting, quite a swell, owns a
race-course. (MRS. WATTY loo\s suspicious) You needn't look
like that. I only met him ten weeks ago. I'd started servin'
behind a bar for fun. I was the picture of health and ever
so lucky in the counter bein' very high,
THE SQUIRE
I have never heard such a conversation outside a police
court. I am seeking the safety of my own quarters. Anything
I can do, Miss Moflfat . . .
BESSIE
I suppose you wouldn't care to stake a claim?
THE SQUIRE
Good gracious . . .
(Exits. BESSIE laughs.)
MISS MOFFAT
Doesn't this man of yours want to marry you?
BESSIE
'E won't talk of anything else, but he won't have the baby.
He says it would be different if the father'd been a pal of
his you can understand it, really, can't you? So I've got to
give up my friend and marry Morgan Evans. Pity, 'cos my
friend worships me. Ever since I left he keeps on sending me
telegrams. I just got two at the station, and I expect I'll
166
THE CORN IS GREEN
get some more tonight, isn't it rich? (Laughs) Mr. Jones
wouldn't consider the baby without me?
MISS RONBERRY
The baby without you! Your child! What about your
your mother love?
BESSIE
I expect you'll think I'm a wicked girl, but d'you know, I
haven't got any!
MISS RONBERRY
Oh, what a vile thing to say, vile . . .
BESSIE
(Rising)
Now listen, dear. . . . You're seeing this baby as if it was
yours, aren't you you'd think the world of it, wouldn't you ?
MISS RONBERRY
It would mean everything to me (Turns away} my
whole life. . . .
BESSIE
I have a pretty near idea how old you are. When I'm your
age I'll love the idea of a baby, but life hasn't begun yet for
me. I'm just getting a taste for it. What do I want with a
baby?
MRS. WATTY
That's what we all wafit to know!
BESSIE
Yes, murn, but you know what it is ...
167
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS RONBERRY
You're inhuman, that's what you are! To think you don't
want it. ... (She is on the point of bursting into foolish
tears, and runs into study.)
BESSIE
I didn't mean to be nasty but inhuman indeed! I didn't
want the baby, nobody would have, but I was careful so it'd
be all right, and now it is all right I want it to have a good
time. But / want a good time too! I could have left it on a
doorstep, couldn't I? But I must see it's in good hands and
that's why I've come to Morgan Evans.
MISS MOFFAT
You want to make him marry you, on the chance he will
become fond enough of the child to ensure its future your
conscience will be clear and later you can go off on your
own?
BESSIE
I shouldn't be surprised . . .
MISS MOFFAT
In the meantime, it's worth while to ruin a boy on on
the threshold of ...
BESSIE
I don't know anything about that, I'm sure. (Calling)
Morgan!
MISS MOFFAT
(Intercepting her, desperately)
Ssh! Wait a minute, wait, . . . There may be a way out-
there must be ...
168
THE CORN IS GREEN
MRS. WATTY
Gawd bless us, ma'am I got it!
MISS MOFFAT
What?
MRS. WATTY
Why can't you adopt it? (BESSIE and MR. JONES stare -from
her to MISS MOFFAT.)
MISS MOFFAT
Don't be ridiculous.
MRS. WATTY
Would that do you, Bessie?
BESSIE
Well! I never thought . . .
MRS. WATTY
Would it, though?
BESSIE
(After consideration)
Yes, it would.
MISS MOFFAT
It tvpuld? ... But ... But what would 7 do with a
baby? I I don't even know what they look like!
MRS. WATTY
They're lovely little things. Now it's all arranged . . .
MISS MOFFAT
But it would be fantastic . . .
169
THE CORN IS GREEN
BESSIE
(Going up to her, eagerly)
Oh, do, please, it'd put everything to rights! I would know
the baby was safe. Morgan Evans need never know a thing
about it. I can marry my friend, and it will all be beautiful!
He might grow like his father and turn out quite nice, and
anyway I'm not really so bad, you know. And he's on the
bottle now and I could give all the instructions before I go.
And you could have it straight away, see, because if it's going
I don't want to have it with me longer than I can help, see,
because I'd only start gettin' fond of it, see . , .
MRS. WATTY
Come on, ma'am, you've been pushin' us about for three
years, now we'll give you a shove!
MISS MOFFAT
But it's mad I tell you . . .
MRS. WATTY
Not as mad as takin' me in was, with my trouble! You've
allus been like that, you might as well go on ...
MISS MOFFAT
But I was never meant to be a mother. I'm not like Miss
Ronberry. Why, she is the one to do it ...
MR. JONES
(Hastily)
She would never agree. We were discussin' Marged Hop-
170
THE CORN IS GREEN
kins going to the workhouse and she said she could never
hold with any child born like that.
MISS MOFFAT
Oh ... I suppose it would worry some folk. . . . But,
Watty, you're the grandmother, and surely you . . .
MRS. WATTY
Oh, I couldn't! I don't bear it no ill-will, but every penny I
get goes to the Corpse. You're the one, dear, really you are.
MISS MOFFAT
Bessie Watty, do you mean that if I do not adopt this child,
you . . .
BESSIE
I will have to tell Morgan Evans, and he will have to marry
me, I swear that.
MISS MOFFAT
And do you swear that you would never let Morgan Evans
know the truth?
BESSIE
I swear. If there are any questions, I'll say it was my
friend's.
(A pause.)
MISS MOFFAT
Then -I give in.
BESSIE
That's lovely. My friend will be pleased. Ill pop back to
the public-house for his telegram and send him a nice one
171
THE CORN IS GREEN
back. Good-bye, all, well arrange details later, shall we? My
friend gave me this buckle, isn't it nice? He offered me a
tiny one, real, but I think the false is prettier, don't you?
MR. JONES
(As she turns to go)
Are you going to take up a life of sin?
BESSIE
(Smiling)
I shouldn't be surprised. I'm only really meself with a lot
of gentlemen round me, y'know, and a nice glass o' port will
never come amiss, neither. (To MRS. WATTY) That cold water
didn't really do the trick, mum, did it? ... (To MISS MOF-
FAT, serious for a moment) Good-bye ... I only did it to spite
you, y'know.
MR. JONES
You are not fit to touch the hem of her garment.
BESSIE
Oh, yes, I am! Just because she's read a lot o' books. Books,
books! Look at 'em all! I got more out of life at my age than
she has out o' them all her days and I'll get a lot more yet!
What d'you bet me? (She goes out by the front door, leaves
door open. MRS. WATTY closes the door after her.)
MRS. WATTY
That's settled . . . (Comes down.)
(The voices of children f in the barn, singing "Dacw'n-
ghariad")
172
THE CORN IS GREEN
MR. JONES
(Making for the study door)
For which we must be truly thankful . . .
(MORGAN wal\s in quickly from the fytchen. He goes
straight to MISS MOFFAT; his face is white and shoc\ed.
They stare at him, instinctively silent?)
MORGAN
Has she gone?
MISS MOFFAT
Why?
MORGAN
The Squire just came in to see me.
MISS MOFFAT
The fool! The idiotic fool . . .
MORGAN
Then it's true . . . ! He thought I knew. (Laughs) Then
he said it was for the best that I ought to be told. . . . (The
singing stops in the barn) It is funny. She and I, we do not
know each other at all It was a long time ago, and I never
thought again about it and neither did she. I know she
didn't . . . And here we are ... It is funny, too, because if
you and I had not made that bad quarrel, it would never
have happened ... It ought to make me feel older but I
feel more young than I have ever done before . . . Oh, God,
why should this happen. . . .
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS MOFFAT
Steady . . .
MR. JONES
There is no need for you to upset yourself, my boy. Miss
Moffat is going to take care of of
MORGAN
What?
MISS MOFFAT
I am going to adopt it.
MORGAN
(His old truculent self emerging)
What in hell do you take me for ?
MR. JONES
Morgan, swearing! Be haru ti . . .
MORGAN
(In a rage)
I will swear some more too, if people talk to me like that!
(To MISS MOFFAT) What do you take me for?
MR. JONES
Then what would you like to do, my boy . . . ?
MORGAN
What would I like to do? (Getting more and more Welsh)
It is not a question of what I would like to do, or what I
might be allowed, but what I am going to do what any fel-
low with any guts in him must do! I am going to marry her!
174
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS MOFFAT
(With a cry)
I knew this would happen, I knew . . .
MORGAN
What else is there, when I have made a fool of myself and
of her, and of the poor the poor I am not going to talk
about any of it to anybody. All I will say is that Bessie Watty
and I are going to get married as soon as we can, and that is
final! (He flings himself into the armchair.)
MISS MOFFAT
(Hopelessly')
I see.
(A J^nocJ^ at the front door. SARAH hurries in agog with
excitement. She runs to MRS. WATTY.)
SARAH
Bessie's telegram from her friend, they send it from Pen-
Ian ... I never seed one before!
MRS. WATTY
Poor chap, 'ell be disappointed again. . . . (Opens the tele-
gram, and hands it to MISS MOFFAT) What does it say, ma'am?
. . . Read it, ma'am, take your mind off things . . .
(MISS MOFFAT glances halfheartedly at the telegram. A
pause. She loofys up at MORGAN.)
175
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS MOFFAT
You have won the scholarship. (Reading) "First, Evans,
Second, Fayver-Iles, Third, Starling. Congratulations." (SARAH
claps her hands and runs out by the front door, closes it.
MORGAN laughs bitterly and turns away. Folding the telegram
carefully, she tuc\s it into her belt, still quiet, burning with a
slow-mounting and deliberate fervor) Lock the school door,
Watty, will you?
MRS. WATTY
(To MR. JONES, tremulously)
Go in there, sir, I'll make you a cup of tea. . . . (MR. JONES
goes into the "kitchen. MRS. WATTY loc\s the study door and
follows him.)
MISS MOFFAT
Look at me, Morgan. (MORGAN faces her in the armchair,
defiantly) For the first time, we are together. Our hearts are
face to face, naked and unashamed, because there's no time
to lose, my boy; the clock is ticking and there's no time to
lose. If ever anybody has been at the crossroads, you are
now. . . .
MORGAN
It is no good. I am going to marry her.
MISS MOFFAT
And I am going to speak to you very simply. I want you to
change suddenly from a boy to a man. I understand that this
is a great shock to you, but I want you to throw off this pas-
sionate obstinacy to do the right thing. . . . Did you promise
her marriage?
MORGAN
No, never . , .
176
THE CORN IS GREEN
MISS MOFFAT
Did you even tell her that you were in love with her?
MORGAN
(Repelled)
No, never . . .
MISS MOFFAT
Then your situation now is the purest accident; it is to be
regretted, but it has happened before and it will happen again.
So cheer up, you are not the central figure of such a tragedy
as you think . . .
MORGAN
That does not altef the fact that I have a duty to to them
both. . . .
MISS MOFFAT
She has her own plans, and she doesn't want the child; and
I am willing to look after it if you behave as I want you to
behave. If you marry her, you know what will happen, don't
you? You will go back to the mine. In a year she will have
left you both. You will be drinking again, and this time you
will not stop. And you will enjoy being this besotted and un-
couth village genius who once showed such promise; but it
will not be worth it, you know.
MORGAN
There is a child, living and breathing on this earth, and liv-
ing and breathing because of me. . . .
MISS MOFFAT
I don't care if there are fifty children on this earth because
of you! . . . You mentioned the word "duty," did you? Yes,
177
THE CORN IS GREEN
you have a duty, but it is not to this loose little lady, or to
her offspring either.
MORGAN
You mean a duty to you?
MISS MOFFAT
No. A year ago I should have said a duty to me, yes; but
that night you showed your teeth you gave me a lot to think
about, you know. You caught me unawares, and I gave you
the worst possible answer back. I turned sorry for myself and
taunted you with ingratitude. I was a dolt not to realize that
a debt of gratitude is the most humiliating debt of all, and
that a little show of affection would have wiped it out. I offer
that affection to you, today.
MORGAN
Why are you saying this to me now ?
MISS MOFFAT
Because, as the moments are passing, and I am going to get
my way, I know that I am never going to see you again.
(A pause.)
MORGAN
Never again? But why?
MISS MOFFAT
If you are not to marry her, it would be madness for you to
come into contact with the child; so if I am adopting the
ITS
THE CORN IS GREEN
child, you can never come to see me; it is common sense. You
have been given the push over the wall that you asked for.
MORGAN
But you will be staying here . . . How can I never come
back after everything you have done for me?
MISS MOFFAT
D'you remember, the last six months, I've gone for a long
walk over Moel Hiraeth, every morning at eight, like clock-
work, for my health?
MORGAN
Yes?
MISS MOFFAT
There's one bit of the road, round a boulder and there's an
oak tree, and under it the valley suddenly drops sheer. Every
morning regularly, as I was turning that corner, by some trick
of the mind, I found myself thinking of you working for this
scholarship, and winning it. And I experienced something
which must after all be comparatively rare: A feeling of com-
plete happiness. I shall experience it again. No, Morgan Evans,
you have no duty to me. Your only duty is to the world.
MORGAN
To the world?
MISS MOFFAT
Now you are going, there is no harm in telling you some-
thing. I don't think you realize quite what your future can
become if you give it the chance. I have always been very
definite about the things I wanted, and I have always had
179
THE CORN IS GREEN
everything worked out to a T. P'r'aps that's the trouble with
me, I dunno . . . I've got you worked out, and it's up to you
whether it will come right or not. . . .
MORGAN
(Eagerly)
Go on.
MISS MOFFAT
I rather made out to the Squire that I wanted you to be a
writer the truth might have sounded ridiculous; but stranger
things have happened. You have a great deal now and Oxford
will give you the rest.
MORGAN
For what?
MISS MOFFAT
Enough to become a great man o our country. "If a light
come in the mine" you said, remember?
MORGAN
Yes.
MISS MOFFAT
Make that light come in the mine and some day free these
children. And you could be more, much, much more; you
could be a man for a future nation to be proud of . - . Per-
haps I'm mad, I dunno. We'll see. It's up to you.
MORGAN
(Rises before speaking)
Yes.
(MR. JONES appears timidly from the kitchen.)
180
THE CORN IS GREEN
MR. JONES
Is it all right to ring the bell to say holiday tomorrow?
MISS MOFFAT
Yes. (MR. JONES'S face lights up; he hurries to the study
door, unlocks it, and disappears) I think that's all.
MORGAN
But I I do not know what to say.
MISS MOFFAT
Then don't say it.
MORGAN
I have been so much time in this room.
MISS MOFFAT
And the lessons are over.
MORGAN
(Impulsively)
I shall always remember.
MISS MOFFAT
Will you? Well, I'm glad you think you will. (She prc^,*
the bag and cap into his unwilling hands. IDWAL runs in from
the study, very excited. ROBBART appears behind him.)
IDWAL
Please, Miss Moffat, the band is out, and they say Morgan
181
THE CORN IS GREEN
got to come down to Penlan Town Hall for Wales to see a
real toff!
MORGAN
Na, ddim diolch . . .
ROBBART
Tyd, man, tyd, they never forgive you! (An afterthought)
And, please, Miss Moffat, Mr. Jones say is he to say school
day after tomorrow, nine o'clock same as usual?
MISS MOFFAT
Nine o'clock. The same as usual. . . .
ROBBART
Yes, Miss Moffat, (He runs bac\ into the study, followed by
IDWAL.)
MISS MOFFAT
(She offer? her hand, MORGAN tafyes it)
Good-bye. And I had ray heart set on coming up to London
and having tea on the Terrace.
(Voices mixed with singing of stage,)
IDWAL
(Putting his head round the barn door, and disappear-*
ing again)
Brysia, Morgan Evans, brysia!
(MORGAN tries to say something, fails, and hurries into
the study. The kitchen door opens, and MRS. WATTY
appears cautiously.}
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